The unfortunate news that broke out last night, Saturday 2, 2024, about the death of legendary Nollywood actor, John Okafor A.K.A Mr. Ibu has really left so many hearts broken and completely shattered.
This is mostly after many had thought that all is finally well with the actor after battling series of health challenges in recent times, and undergoing a couple of successful treatments, but the wicked hands of death still snatched him away. Well, while we mourn his death, we shall equally look at the positive side of the deceased regards his great exploits in Nollywood for decades.
Here are some of his best Nollywood movies…
Mr. Ibu: this was the movie that practically ushered him into the class of A-list actors in Nollywood. Shot in 2004 and directed by Andy Chukwu, the movie equally gave him the popular name Mr. Ibu, which was his character name in the movie.
This was one of the most comic movies ever to have been produced in Nollywood, with the late actor alongside his son in the movie, Osita Iheme, giving an exceptional performance that eventually shot them into an enviable status in the industry.
A Fool At Forty: this was another movie by the later Nollywood star, which will forever remain in the hearts of lovers of his movies and fans of Nollywood. It was one movie Mr. Ibu and Osuofia (Nkem Owoh) gave their fans a good reward for their money.
Roaming about the village without a clear cut agenda for their life nor future, the duo and their group constituted nuisance around the village from their thirties into their forties, hence the title “a fool at forty”.
Mr. Ibu in London: the comic actor eventually found his way to the Queens land and gave a good representation of himself with his uncivilized lifestyle. It was such an unforgettable comic classic that will forever remain in the minds of movie lovers, even beyond the shores of Nigeria and Africa.
GSM MADNESS: in the advent of mobile phone and the subsequent headache of experiencing poor network, Nollywood took the opportunity and made one of the best comedy movies out of the industry, with Mr. Ibu leading the Frontline.
Mr. Ibu became so addicted to the new invention and as such, going all out to savour the invention, practically making a total mess of himself and the madness overwhelmed him. It was one of his best performances in comic movies.
LAZY FATHER: the deceased actor teamed up with his best partner in the industry back then, in the person of Osita Iheme, popularly known as Paw-Paw. As expected, they didn’t failed expectations as it was a movie that will leave you laughing and seemingly rolling on the floor.
Funny enough, it is always a fight to finish between the duo in their movies, especially with Pawpaw playing the son of Mr. Ibu. You can always expect a good reward for you movie with such combination in any comic movie.
PROFESSIONAL BANKERS: Yet another evergreen movie of Mr. Ibu, alongside great actors like Francis Odega, Bishop Imeh (Okon Lagos), Victor Osuagwu and others. The movie is a classic and a trademark of Ibu’s foolly in most of his movies that has endeared him to the hearts of millions.
Nicodemus: The 2003 Nollywood blockbuster movie was undoubtedly one of the best from Mr. Ibu, equally playing along Osita Iheme (Paw-Paw). Ibu who owns an electrical repair shop was practically good at nothing, mostly interested in women.
It is a classic comedy that made Nollywood a darling of millions, and unfortunately we could hardly find such classic comic movies anywhere around. It’s sad to see that such great movies are actually disappearing with these actors.
Some other of his great movies include The Greedy Native Doctor, Akidi, Issakaba, Police Academy, Wife material, and too many to mention.
The world will inevitably miss this unique and talented actor, who with just his facial expressions would have left people laughing uncontrollably. Rest in peace Mr. Ibu.
(Photo credit: Google Photos)