Barely a month after making an impassioned appeal, the worst fears of Nollywood actor and comedian John Okafor, famous as Mr Ibu, have come true.
In a viral Instagram video in October, the comic actor requested prayers and financial help from his fans, saying that his doctors had recommended amputation of his leg.
In the video he said that although the medical director of this hospital said that they are trying other options, the best solution may be to cut off his leg.
“Just look at me, if they cut off my leg, where do I go from here? Please pray for me, talk to God Almighty and I don’t want my legs to be cut off. Thank you very much. God bless you,” Mr. Ibu said.
However, sharing the latest update on his Instagram page, the 62-year-old actor, who also celebrated his birthday on his sickbed, notified Nigerians that his leg had indeed been amputated.
New reality
Mr. Ibu’s family broke the news on their Instagram account.
It read: “As of 1:00 noon today, Dad has undergone 7 successful surgeries, but to keep him alive and increase his chances of recovery, they had to amputate his leg. This development has been hard on all of us, but we have had to accept it as Dad’s new reality to keep him alive.
“This event has been hard for all of us, but we have had to accept it as Dad’s new reality to keep him alive. Please, we continue to solicit the support of well-meaning Nigerians. At this stage, dad is still very delicate and he needs all the help he can get.
“Thank you all; The Okafor family is grateful and we do not take it for granted. In due time, Dad will personally acknowledge everyone who supported him during this period as soon as he is stable,” the statement read.
Recovery process
Since the news of his ill health became known, Mr. Ibu has undergone several surgeries and has been admitted to intensive care.
Following his public outcry, the Bukola Saraki Foundation would later announce that they had compensated his hospital bills. The announcement caused a backlash because his fans stopped contributing to the lifeline, thinking that the Foundation had cleared all of its accounts.
Setting the record straight, the foundation said that after communicating with Mr. Ibu’s family, they covered his medical expenses at Living Heart Hospital until October 18.
In addition, the NGO said that the actor still needs a lot of financial help to stay in the current hospital where he is admitted.
They also said that Mr. Ibu still needs additional assistance for his trip abroad for further treatment.
History
It is not the first time that the actor has fallen ill. In March 2022, Mr. Ibu was hospitalized at Zenith Medical and Kidney Center Abuja.
He told PREMIUM TIMES at the time that he fell ill after being poisoned twice by the “people of his village” during one of his numerous trips to his country house in Nkanu West, Enugu State.
Furthermore, in 2020, Ibu claimed that his relatives paid his domestic staff to poison him due to his successful career.
In an interview with Nigezitv, Ibu told how he was kidnapped and poisoned at an event in Nnewi. He also noticed that his protruding stomach was a result of the poison.
Ibu is one of the most talented comic characters in Nigeria.
The Enugu-born actor has appeared in over 200 Nollywood films.
These include Mr Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu and his sonCoffin producers, husband providers, international actors, Mr Ibu in London (2004), Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006) and Keziah (2007).
