Actor John Okafor Dies From Cardiac Arrest
03/06/2024 04:28 pm EST
Nigerian actor and comic John Okafor, popularly generally known as Mr Ibu, has died. The veteran actor reportedly handed away at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos state, in response to native reviews, with Actors Guild of Nigeria President Emeka Rollas sharing on Saturday that Okafor suffered a cardiac arrest. He was 62.
Additional info relating to Okafor’s passing, together with a confirmed reason behind demise, weren’t instantly obtainable. The actor has notably suffered a collection of well being points in recent times, and claimed to have a number of poison makes an attempt. Extra just lately, the actor was hospitalized in October 2023 for “a “”unusual and harmful sickness,” his household sharing in a November well being replace that he underwent seven “profitable” surgical procedures and needed to have one in all his legs amputated. Okafor’s former supervisor, Emeka Chochoo, later advised PUNCH that the amputation was achieved on account of an an infection of his artery that was not caught early sufficient.
Amid his well being disaster, Okafor’s son Daniel Okafor and adopted daughter Jasmine Chioma had been arrested in January 2024 on suspicion of hacking into their father’s cellphone and taking $60,700 (£47,800) for themselves. They’re anticipated to seem in courtroom on March 11, per the BBC.
Whereas Okafor is well-known for having starred in dozens of Nollywood movies, together with Keziah and 9 Wives, he’s finest identified for the movie Mr Ibu. The function grew to become his career-long nickname. And spawned a number of sequels, together with Mr Ibu in London (2004) and Ibu in Jail (2006). In complete, the actor starred in additional than 200 Nollywood movies.
Information of his passing sparked a flurry of tributes. Nigeria’s Tradition Minister Hannatu Musawa described Okafor as a family identify who made households smile all through his profession. Actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie wrote, per PUNCH, “”It’s nicely…relaxation nicely, sir.” Peter, a singer and member of the pop group, P-Sq., wrote, “Relaxation nicely, Mr Ibu. We will certainly miss you, brother.” In the meantime, regulation professor and former UN rapporteur Pleasure Ezeilo mentioned the actor was a “beloved” determine who “introduced laughter to many.”
Okafor is survived by his 13 youngsters, in response to native media.
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