The family of late Nollywood legend John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has sent a heartbreaking plea for help as they battle severe financial hardship nearly two years after his death.
In an emotional interview with influencer King Mitchy, Mr Ibu’s widow, Stella Marris, opened up about their current struggles, revealing the painful reality behind closed doors.
“We fetch water from the well, because I haven’t been able to pay the house rent. They’ve even cut off my light for two months now. We have been like that since. Every night we look for a place to charge our phones. It’s not easy.”
The widow disclosed that their 14-year-old daughter and two sons aged 12 and 10 have dropped out of school due to inability to pay fees. She praised her own efforts while appealing to her late husband’s colleagues in the industry for support.
Mr Ibu’s daughter also spoke, thanking her mother for her resilience and calling on her father’s industry friends:
“I want to thank God for my mum, she tries everything she can to feed us, pay our school fees. If you’re in the industry with my dad, you see us now, come and see us.”
The veteran comedian and actor died in March 2024 after a prolonged health battle, with the Actors Guild of Nigeria confirming cardiac arrest as the cause. He was buried in Enugu State following a night of tributes.
Despite earlier support from the Nollywood community after his passing, his family now appears to be facing dire circumstances, including lack of electricity and basic amenities.
The video of their living conditions has sparked emotional reactions online, with many Nigerians and industry stakeholders calling for urgent intervention to support the widow and her young children.