The family of late Nollywood comic actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has received N7.5 million in donations from kind-hearted Nigerians following a public appeal highlighting their financial difficulties.
The donations came barely two days after a video showing the actor’s widow and children appealing for help went viral on social media.
The update was shared on Friday by content creator King Mitchy through her Instagram page, where she thanked Nigerians for responding generously to the family’s plight.
“First of all, I sincerely want to thank everyone who donated. Together, we were able to raise ₦7.5 million for the family. God bless every single one of you,” she wrote.
According to King Mitchy, the money will be used to address the family’s most pressing needs, including payment of outstanding rent and school fees for Mr Ibu’s children.
She revealed that one of the immediate priorities is to pay the eldest daughter’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees to enable her sit for the examination.
“This support will help pay the children’s school fees, including the eldest daughter’s WAEC fees, which they couldn’t afford. It will also help them with rent,” she added.
The donations followed widespread public sympathy after a video surfaced online showing the difficult conditions in which the late actor’s family had been living.
In the emotional video, Mr Ibu’s widow disclosed that the family had been without electricity for about two months because they could not afford to pay their electricity bills.
She also revealed that they had been fetching water from a nearby well because they lacked access to regular water supply.
According to her, the family’s financial situation had become so difficult that their children had stopped attending school because their school fees remained unpaid.
The revelations sparked emotional reactions from many Nigerians, with several people expressing surprise that the family of one of the country’s most celebrated comedians had fallen into such hardship.
Many social media users called on well-meaning individuals, colleagues in the entertainment industry and government agencies to come to the family’s aid.
King Mitchy explained that she only became aware of the family’s condition after receiving a call from one of their neighbours, who appealed to her to intervene.
According to her, she had no prior relationship with the family and knew nothing about their situation before the phone call.
“I only met her two days ago after a neighbour called me to help. I knew nothing about the family’s situation before then. My only focus from the beginning has been to make sure the children get the help they deserve,” she said.
She also disclosed that after discussing the family’s financial challenges with Mr Ibu’s widow, she advised her to move into a more affordable apartment to reduce the burden of paying high rent.
According to the content creator, relocating to a less expensive accommodation would allow the family to better manage its available resources while rebuilding its finances.
King Mitchy further announced that she would release additional parts of her conversation with the widow to answer questions raised by Nigerians following the viral video.
She said many people had sought clarification about the family’s circumstances and promised to provide more details in subsequent updates.
The donations have been welcomed by many Nigerians, who described them as timely support for the late actor’s family.
However, some have also renewed calls for better welfare systems for veteran entertainers, arguing that many actors who contributed significantly to Nigeria’s film industry often face financial difficulties after retirement or during illness.
Mr Ibu was one of Nollywood’s most recognised comic actors and enjoyed immense popularity across Nigeria and several African countries.
Known for his unique style of comedy, expressive facial gestures and humorous performances, he appeared in hundreds of movies over a career that spanned more than two decades.
His performances earned him millions of fans and established him as one of the leading comic figures in the Nigerian movie industry.
In his later years, however, the actor battled serious health challenges that attracted nationwide attention.
In 2023, he publicly appealed for financial assistance to support his medical treatment after revealing that he was facing complications that threatened his life.
The appeal prompted donations from Nigerians, corporate organisations and fellow entertainers.
Despite undergoing treatment, including surgery that resulted in the amputation of one of his legs, his health continued to deteriorate.
Mr Ibu died on March 2, 2024, at the age of 62 after a prolonged illness.
His death was widely mourned by colleagues, fans and public figures, who paid tribute to his contributions to the growth of Nollywood and the Nigerian entertainment industry.
More than a year after his passing, the latest revelation about the condition of his family has once again drawn public attention to the welfare of the families left behind by deceased entertainers.
The N7.5 million raised through public donations is expected to ease some of the immediate financial pressure on the family by helping to secure accommodation and return the children to school.