Mr. Ibu humorous acting is often characterized by stupidity, hilarious imbecility and a sharp disconnection from reality. He is considered to be one of the most talented comic character in Nigeria.
Early Life/Education
John Okafor popularly known as Mr. Ibu is a Nigerian actor and comedian. Mr. Ibu was born on 17 October 1961 in Nkanu West, Nigeria.
An indigene of Umunekwu Village in Eziokwe, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mr Ibu is from a family of eight, and had his primary school education at one of the schools in the village, had his secondary school education at a number of schools in delta state, and then to the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu, where he studied Mass Communication.
He experienced the ravages of the Civil War (1967-1971), during which he lost his father and five other relatives. His major influence was his grandfather, who he refers to as a more “stupid” person, and from whom he inherited his crazy genes.
Ibu had a rough childhood due to his family’s poverty. Before he was an actor he worked as a firewood seller, a hairdresser and a meat butcher.
Career
Ibu was introduced to the Nigerian movie industry in 1978, when he appeared in a commercial in a soap opera. From that time forward, the hilarious actor has been involved in scores of movies, including some with Aki and Pawpaw, both of whom he enjoys working with, because of their creativity.
He came into the limelight in 2004 in one of the movies he was featured in titled, Mr Ibu, which actually gave him the popular nickname. He has since featured in over 200 movies including Mr.Ibu in London (2004), Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006) and Keziah (2007).
Speaking during an interview in 2009, Mr Ibu mentioned how Jim Iyke came to him with his desire to join the industry and how he assisted him. Other successful actors and actresses have also found their way into the industry through the comedian who has been referred to as an inspiration to several other comedians.
His humorous acting is often characterised by foolhardiness, hilarious imbecility and an utmost disconnection from reality. In 2012, Ibu went nude in front of a crowd for attention and to solicit money which led to a lot of public scrutinies. He entered an endorsement deal with Merrybet in 2014 and also entered an endorsement deal with Gotv in 2014.
Movies
- 2015 – Honeymoon Guys 2
- 2011 – Open & Close
- 2011 – Open & Close 2
- 2010 – Most Wanted Kidnappers
- 2010 – Most Wanted Kidnappers 2
- 2009 – Yahoozee Prophets
- 2009 – Yahoozee Prophets 2
- 2008 – Mental Case
- 2008 – Mental Case 2
- 2008 – The Tusk of Life
- 2008 – The Tusk of Life 2
- 2007 – Bafana Bafana
- 2007 – Bafana Bafana 2
- 2007 – Basket Mouth
- 2007 – Basket Mouth 2
- 2007 – Desperate Search
- 2007 – Desperate Search 2
- 2007 – How Far?
- 2007 – How Far? 2
- 2007 – Keziah
- 2007 – Keziah 2
- 2007 – Toronto Connection
- 2007 – Toronto Connection 2
- 2006 – A Fool at 40
- 2006 – A Fool at 40 2
- 2006 – Brain Wash
- 2006 – Brain Wash 2
- 2006 – Captain
- 2006 – Captain 2
- 2006 – Captain 3
- 2006 – Chelsea/Liverpool
- 2006 – Chelsea/Liverpool 2
- 2006 – Dear Mama
- 2006 – Final Surrender
- 2006 – Final Surrender 2
- 2006 – Four Forty
- 2006 – Four Forty 2
- 2006 – Men on the Run
- 2006 – Men on the Run 2
- 2006 – Over Heat
- 2006 – Over Heat 2
- 2006 – Recharge Card
- 2006 – Recharge Card 2
- 2006 – Store Keeper
- 2006 – Store Keeper 2
- 2006 – Sweet Mama
- 2006 – Sweet Mama 2
- 2006 – The Journalist
- 2006 – The Journalist 2
- 2006 – The Return of Mama-G
- 2005 – 9 Wives
- 2005 – 9 Wives 2
- 2005 – Circle of Lives
- 2005 – Common Sense
- 2005 – Common Sense 2
- 2005 – Joshua
- 2005 – Joshua 2
- 2005 – The Councillor
- 2005 – The Councillor 2
- 2004 – Dollars from Germany
- 2004 – Dollars from Germany 2
- 2004 – James & John
- 2004 – Mr. Ibu
- 2004 – Mr. Ibu 2
- 2004 – Mr. Ibu in London
- 2004 – Unbreakable
- 2003 – Bullet
- 2003 – Bullet 2
- 2003 – Civil War
- 2003 – Fresh Pain
- 2003 – Fresh Pain 2
- 2003 – Informant
- 2003 – Naomi
- 2003 – Ngozi: Abeg Marry Us
- 2003 – Nicodemus
- 2003 – Police Recruit
- 2000 – Vuga 2
Awards
In 2014, he won Best Movie Actor of the Year award by the Peace Ambassadors Of Nigeria. In 2015, he received the ‘best comedian’ award from the governor of Enugu State.
He has also won awards for Best Comedy Drama, African Magic Viewer Choice Award and other International awards.
Controversy
1. ‘I Almost Committed Suicide’– Mr Ibu
Nollywood comic star, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, said he was suicidal before attaining his present celebrity status.
Ibu, the fifth Nigerian celebrity visiting the 2017 #BBNaija housemates on Day 31, narrated his experience during the dairy session with `Biggie’ in the Diary Room.
The comic actor said he `nearly’ committed suicide during “his struggles in life.”
“Do you know that there was a day I prepared to kill myself in Ajao Estate; that day I was preparing to jump into a well because of the situation that surrounded me.
“Three days before that day, I had not eaten and I did not have hope of eating for the next week; I was only surviving on water and I hate it when I bother anyone.
“Most of my close friends were not bothered about my well-being even though it was obvious that I was not alright,’’
“The friend I used to squat with threw me out of his house because he wanted to travel for Christmas and will not allow me to stay in his house.
“From where I seated, there was a well; as I opened the lid and prepared to jump inside, the image of my mother’s face flashed through my mind.
“I quickly closed the well and began to wonder how my mother who at that time was alive knew that I wanted to kill myself; I went back and leaned on the wall,” Ibu said.
According to him, the song, “When I got my feet back again’’ by Michael Bolton being playing by a neighbor gave him hope and he decided to stay alive.
He said, “One of my friends, Frank came back from London; gave me a flat in his flat; started taking me out and buying clothes for me; it was from there I got my footing.”
Earlier, while interacting with the housemates, the funny actor informed them that he had been watching the game back home and admonished them to be humble.
He said he was proud to be a Nigerian and gave them advice that could enhance their acts after leaving the house.
“As soon as you come back from there, follow it up; don’t stop, engage yourselves in movies, musical or anything that keeps you prominent, like being consistence in the game of awareness.
“Our country Nigeria is a fine country; we are giant of Africa,” Ibu stressed. The housemates who were excited to see him, took part in a “selfie’’ session with Ibu before his exit from the house. NAN also reports that Ibu has joined other Nigerian entertainers like Emmanuel Ikubese, Mr. Nigeria; Falz the bad guy and Ice Price who had earlier visited the house.
2. Alleged Sex Scandal
In 2018, a lady on social media accused the veteran Nollywood comic actor of extramarital affairs. The lady showed how she enjoyed her one-night stand with Mr Ibu.
The lady identified as Igwe Gloria on Facebook, took to a group ‘No CHILLS in NAIJA’, she disclosed that the actor is gentle, cool and left her feeling on top of the world when they were done.
Gloria further commented on Mr Ibu’s big belly saying she was not bothered as far as she got the money she deserved at the end of the day.
The now-deleted post read: “The level where I am now two years from now none of you guys will get there even in your next life. I finally had a one night stand with my Mr Ibu he is so cool, sweet and lovely.
“All celebrities have their own ways of having s*x, they don’t rush it like all this chewing gum guys we have here. He shift the pants gently, kiss you romantically and lastly insert it gently. OMG last night was WOW! I felt on top of the world. His pot belle no be here o but me I no send as far as money is involved.”
Ibu reacting to the allegations in a telephone interview with PUNCH on Wednesday admitted to having posed for a photo shot with the fan in question but never had any sexual relationship with her.
The actor described the offensive statement as the handiwork of unknown enemies who were planning to tarnish his image.
He said, “The woman approached me to take a picture with me alongside her husband. She said she happily posted those pictures she took with me without any write-up. It was when a blog carried the picture that a write-up appeared from nowhere.
“I initially called police to arrest the woman, but she came to my house with her family to apologise that she would not have posted the picture had she known it would cause trouble. She swore that she would not have a child, if she ever wrote anything evil about me. I believed her. I told her that she did nothing wrong by posting the picture.”
Pleading with members of the public not to believe everything they read online, Ibu also claimed that some people, in an attempt to rubbish his name, had hacked into his social media accounts and impersonated him.
He said: “I know that I have enemies. They were the ones who put that write-up to tarnish my image, but they can never succeed because I have never stepped on anybody’s toes and I will never do it. I only want to upgrade people and make them happy.
“Some people are trying to pull me down. I’ve witnessed instances where hackers used my account to defraud other people and upload all sorts of nonsense about me. But I always tell people that I am not the owner of those accounts.”
3. Stroke Rumour
It was reported in 2019 that the actor was incapacitated because he was battling with stroke. Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN President Emeka Rollas was also quoted saying:
“I am aware that Mr Ibu is truly down with stroke, but he is fast recovering and need more of our prayers right now.”
Debunking the tales, Mr Ibu released a video in which he appeared with his wife, looking healthy and rubbished the report.
He said: “People are saying that I have stroke, that I am down with stroke. Why? How can you announce somebody’s and you have many and you haven’t announced yours? I don’t have any stroke please”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv2NOy3gPXW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading
Personal Life
In a 2009 interview, Mr Ibu declared that he was single, despite also revealing that he had children. It would later be reported in the media that Mr. Ibu’s son was kidnapped by his ex-wife, who released him after the demanded ransom had been paid.
The kidnapped boy, Emmanuel Okafor, eventually died of food poisoning which he allegedly blamed on his ex-wife. In 2015, John Okafor happily married his heartthrob Stella Maris Okafor who is also an actress and a model. Both of them have managed to separate their love life from their profession and their relationship wasn’t made public on social media platforms.
Mr. Ibu and his wife Stella Maris Okafor are blessed with three children namely Emmanuel Mandela Okafor, Chelsea Okafor and Jay Jay Okafor.
Net Worth
Mr. Ibu is one of the biggest veteran actors in Nigeria. He is reportedly estimated to be net worth $4.2 million, this is an estimate given by entrepreneurs.ng and his wealth is attributed to years of hard work, acting and endorsement deals by Merrybet and GoTV. Never forget he is one of the best comic actors in the country today.
Social Media
Instagram: @realmribu
Twitter: @Mister_Ibu