Nollywood actor and comedian, Okey Bakassi has paid tribute to his senior colleague, John Okafor better known as Mr Ibu following his demise.
Taking to his Instagram page, he questioned how someone like Mr Ibu, who brings so much laughter and joy can go like that. He revealed that he was in Canada when he learned of his death, which left him speechless.
He recounted the time he visited Mr Ibu at the hospital in Ikoyi and despite his situation, Mr Ibu made him laugh as he cracked jokes with him. He disclosed that he left the hospital devastated because Mr Ibu didn’t serve to be there.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t visit the actor after his leg amputation because he didn’t want to see him in such a state, unknowingly that his death was approaching. Apologizing to him, he added that he silently prayed for him.
“I was in Canada when I heard you are dead, so it’s true? You left me speechless bro. How can someone who brings so much laughter and joy, just die? I don’t understand this world. When Ibu enters somewhere, everywhere dey change, happiness go dey, people will know he has arrived. I remember when I came to see you in the hospital in Ikoyi, despite your situation, you still managed to share jokes. I left that hospital feeling devastated because someone like you wasn’t supposed to be in the hospital. My brother, the stage is where you belong. Months later when your situation became worse and we had to cut your legs to save your life, I couldn’t come to see you in that state. I silently prayed you would recover, not knowing your death was near. Please forgive”.
Captioning the post, he wrote, “It has been very difficult to process. Life happens. Rest in peace my brother and friend, John Okafor”.
It is no longer news that the veteran, who has been battling an ailment for months now, gave up the ghost on Saturday, March 2nd. Since the news of his death, celebrities, fans, and lovers of the veteran have been paying tribute to him.
The likes of Paul Okoye, Nkem Owoh, Patience Ozokwo, Charles Okocha, Mike Ezurounye, Zubby Michael, and more have taken to social media to mourn the legendary actor.
Actors, Charles Awurum and Victor Osuagwu shared their experiences working with him as Charles revealed that despite coming into the industry before Mr Ibu, he looked up to him as he was someone who had so much to offer.
Victor Osuagwu, on his part, described the deceased as someone who was a vessel of comedy and had lots of comic characters loaded in him. According to the two actors, they had to postpone their shoot in Ghana because Mr Ibu wasn’t someone they could ignore.
However, they believe God knows best as He is the one who giveth and taketh. Their only concern is for the family he left behind, especially his wife and young kids who need prayers and support.
Actress, Rita Edochie had shared her last encounter with Mr Ibu, stating that what hurt her the most wasn’t his death, but the fact that he suffered so much and groaned painfully in the grips of paleness.
She revealed that the last time she met the late veteran was at Evercare Hospital in Lagos, and they discussed to a certain extent and she was excited that he was fully recuperating.
Rita Edochie expressed belief that her moment with him was when heaven wanted to welcome his soul and relieve him of all stress and burden.
