The widow and children of the late comic actor Mr Ibu have appealed to Nigerians for help as they struggle with rent, school fees and basic living expenses.
LAGOS, NIGERIA — The family of late Nollywood actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has appealed to Nigerians for financial support following months of hardship after the actor’s death. In a viral interview with content creator King Mitchy, the actor’s widow, Stella Maris Okafor, said she and her children were battling unpaid rent, school fees and other essential expenses.
According to Stella Maris, the family’s electricity supply has been disconnected for about two months because of unpaid bills, forcing them to seek places to charge their phones. She also revealed that the family now depends on water from a well due to their financial challenges. She said her children are at risk of dropping out of school because she can no longer afford their fees.
Speaking emotionally during the interview, the widow said, “We fetch water from the well because I have not paid the house rent. They have even cut my lights for two months now.” One of Mr Ibu’s daughters praised her mother for keeping the family together despite the hardship and said she had made sacrifices to provide food and education for the children.
The appeal has generated mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing sympathy for the family and calling on colleagues of the late actor and well-meaning individuals to assist them. However, the situation took another turn after one of Mr Ibu’s sons, Somtochukwu Okafor, publicly accused the widow of selling some of the late actor’s properties and excluding other children from his estate. The allegations have not been independently verified.
Mr Ibu, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated comic actors, died on March 2, 2024, at the age of 62 after a prolonged health battle. The actor featured in hundreds of Nollywood productions and remained one of the industry’s most recognisable faces for more than two decades.
The development means renewed attention has shifted to the welfare of the late actor’s family and the financial challenges many entertainers face after losing their primary source of income. The appeal may also trigger support efforts from fans, colleagues and charitable organisations seeking to assist the family during this difficult period.
