- Mr Ibu’s manager stated that the actor used humour to promote peace and unity across Africa
- He added that he always held the Nigerian flag, showing his love for his country.
Dominic Nwuzoru, the manager of Late Nollywood actor John Okafor, a.k.a. Mr Ibu, has stated that the late comedian was even more popular in countries such as Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, Gabon, and Botswana when he was alive.
He added that Mr. Ibu always carried the Nigerian flag as a symbol of his love for his country and that he advanced peace and unity throughout Africa with his comedy.
He disclosed this in an interview with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
According to him, the late comic received numerous accolades and recognitions from authorities and communities throughout Africa during his lifetime.
Nwuzoru stated that the late actor used his artistry to project Nigeria in a positive light around the world, particularly in countries where bad rumors about Nigeria had been circulated.
He said:
“I remember vividly, how two warring tribes in Ghana came together for the first time because of John’s performance and he ended up reconciling them,” Nwuzoru said.
“He was thereafter given a Chieftaincy title as the ‘Malangula I of Tamale Land’, meaning the peacemaker, and I was named the ‘Ngulala’, meaning the mouthpiece of the peacemaker.
“When we went to Botswana, he held the Nigerian flag when we landed to show how proud and patriotic he was because they were hearing a lot of negative things about Nigeria then.
“He was a man I would say made Africans laugh and was held in high esteem like a people’s leader across Africa.”
“Mr Ibu, as John was popularly known, was not just an actor, but Nollywood ambassador that used his talent and humour to promote peace, happiness and unity among Africans.
“I signed John in 2004, and then our relationship grew beyond that of business to become that of friendship as we have become so close till his death.
“The deal started with first two years, and I did not bother him with the aspects of Nigerian movies, so he could deal with anyone on Nigerian movies.
“But for anything concerning international showbiz, I have to discuss with the promoters on the basic access requirements and then we would move.
“There was no airport, especially in Africa, where crowd of fans would not gather to welcome John, and that was how I realised his popularity outside the shores of Nigeria.
“I can tell you that he was even more celebrated in countries like Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, Garbon, Botswana and he always held the Nigerian flag showing his love for his country,”
Then, John was one of the positive things other countries wanted to hear about Nigeria and everybody looked forward to meet him, including presidents of nations.
“For example, even a two-year-old child in Ghana knows Mr Ibu, and one thing about him was his friendliness and originality, as everything he does is just himself and does not copy anyone.
“Foreigners fell in love with Nigeria through John and wanted to visit the country because of him, as we got calls from even the Caribbean.”
Mr Ibu recently passed away at age 62.
He was born on October 17, 1961, in Nkanu West Local Government, Enugu State.
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