Mr Ibu’s family releases burial date, final funeral rites

The family of late Nigerian actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu has set June 28 as the date for his burial services.

Mr Ibu will be buried in his hometown Amuri, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

In a press release, the family explained that funeral rites will be a five-day affair with other events held days before the burial.

On Tuesday, June 25, a march will be held in his honour in his hometown in Enugu state.

Then, on Wednesday, June 26, a candlelight possession and a live entertainment night dubbed Mr Ibu’s Night would take place.

On June 27, a wake-keeping ceremony will be held at his compound in Eziokwe Amuri, Nkanu West while the burial and funeral service takes place on June 28.

The ceremony will be wrapped up on Sunday, 30th June, with a thanksgiving service in church for family members, friends and well-wishers.

“The Okafor family in Eziokwe Amuri, Nkanu West LGA in Enugu State wishes to honour the loving memory of our hero and legend John Ikechukwu Okafor who even in death has left a legacy of love, laughter and liveliness.”

“We would appreciate your esteemed presence as we lay to rest our son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and in-law on the 28th of June 2024. Kindly join us as we share the best and last moments with our icon,” parts of the statement read.

Mr Ibu died on Saturday, March 2, at the age of 62. In a post on Instagram, Mr Rollas revealed that the actor, who had been unwell for months, died of cardiac arrest.

Before his death, Mr Ibu had been unwell for months. He underwent multiple surgeries that saw one of his legs amputated.

The Enugu-born actor featured in more than 200 Nollywood movies.

He burst onto the scene in 2004 with the movie Mr Ibu, which tells the story of the eponymous single father and his son as they journey through life, getting into a series of tricky, and hilarious, predicaments.

“His facial expressions and his body were his biggest selling points,” film director Babangida Bangis told the BBC, contrasting him to most comic actors who use words to make people laugh.

“Mr Ibu was different as he doesn’t even have to talk to elicit laughter, as his face just like Mr Bean [Rowan Atkinson] will do the trick,” he said.

He went on to star in many more movies including Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr Ibu in London (2004), Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006) and Keziah (2007).

source: My Joy Online