Lagos, Nigeria – The family of the late Nollywood legend John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has opened up about the severe financial hardships they have been facing since his death, revealing that his three children have been forced to drop out of school .
In an emotional interview with content creator King Mitchy, the late actor's widow, Stella Marris Okafor, disclosed the family's dire living conditions . She revealed that they have been living without electricity for two months after their power supply was disconnected over unpaid bills and are now forced to fetch water from a well because they cannot afford their house rent .
“We fetch water from the well because I have not paid the house rent. They have even cut my light for two months now. No light since. We have been like that every night we go to look for where to charge our phones, and it’s not easy,” she said .
Children Forced Out of School
The family's financial difficulties have had a devastating impact on the children's education. Mr Ibu's 14-year-old daughter and his two sons, aged 12 and 10, are no longer attending school because the family cannot afford the fees . The widow revealed that the school recently sent a message regarding the children's outstanding fees .
Mr Ibu's daughter, fighting back tears, praised her mother for her relentless efforts to care for the family despite the immense challenges . She made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians and to her late father's colleagues in the entertainment industry .
“I want to thank God for my mom. She tries everything she can to feed us, pay our school fees, and make us happy. So Nigerians, if you were in the industry with my dad, you’re seeing us now, come and meet us,” she pleaded .
Public Appeal for Support
King Mitchy, who conducted the interview, has launched a public appeal for donations to help the family settle their outstanding rent, pay the children's school fees, and restore their electricity . She expressed sadness over the situation, describing the iconic actor as one of Nigeria's most beloved comic figures whose movies brought laughter to countless households .
Mr Ibu, who was regarded as one of Nigeria's finest comic performers, died in Lagos on March 2, 2024, at the age of 62 after suffering a cardiac arrest . He had undergone a leg amputation in November 2023 following complications from an illness that required several surgeries .
The revelation of the family's struggles has sparked widespread concern online and renewed conversations about the welfare of families of deceased entertainers within the Nigerian film industry .
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