The widow of late Nollywood comic actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians for financial assistance, revealing that she and her children are facing severe economic hardship following the actor’s death.
The plea was made during a video interview published on Wednesday by content creator King Mitchy, where Mr Ibu’s wife and children opened up about the challenges they have endured since losing the veteran actor.
Speaking about their current situation, the widow disclosed that the family has been living without electricity for the past two months after their power supply was disconnected due to unpaid bills. She added that they now depend on water fetched from a well because they cannot afford basic utilities.
“We fetch water from the well. Because I have not paid the house rent. And they have even cut my lights for two months now. No lights since. We have been like that. Every night we go to look for a place to charge our phones. And… It’s not easy,” she said.
One of the couple’s daughters commended her mother’s efforts in keeping the family afloat despite the difficult circumstances. She acknowledged the sacrifices her mother continues to make to provide for the children and support their education.
“I want to thank God for my mom. She tries everything she can to feed us, to pay our school fees, to make us happy,” she said.
The widow further revealed that the children’s education has been threatened by the family’s financial struggles, noting that unpaid school fees could force them out of school.
“Right now, they can’t go to school again. I can even show you the message the school sent me today,” she said.
According to King Mitchy, who conducted the interview, efforts are underway to seek public support for the family. The assistance being requested is expected to help cover outstanding school fees, rent obligations and the restoration of electricity in their home.
Mr Ibu, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most beloved comic actors, passed away on March 2, 2024, at the age of 62, leaving behind a legacy that spanned decades in the Nigerian film industry.
