The widow of late Nollywood actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has appealed to Nigerians for support over unpaid rent, school fees and electricity bills, saying she and her children are facing severe financial hardship.
The appeal was made during an emotional video interview with content creator King Mitchy, where the actor’s widow and children spoke about the difficult living conditions the family has faced since Mr Ibu’s death.
The widow disclosed that their electricity supply had been disconnected for about two months due to unpaid bills, forcing the family to look for places to charge their phones at night.
She also said the family now relies on water from a well because they are unable to meet some of their basic household needs.
“We fetch water from the well. Because I have not paid the house rent. And they have even cut my lights for two months now. No lights since. We have been like that. Every night we go to look for a place to charge our phones. And… It’s not easy,” she said.
One of Mr Ibu’s daughters praised her mother for trying to keep the family together despite the financial pressure.
“I want to thank God for my mom. She tries everything she can to feed us, to pay our school fees, to make us happy,” she said.
The widow further revealed that the children may be unable to continue their education because of outstanding school fees.
“Right now, they can’t go to school again. I can even show you the message the school sent me today,” she said.
King Mitchy, who conducted the interview, said support was being sought to help the family settle its rent, pay the children’s school fees and restore electricity to their home.
Mr Ibu, one of Nigeria’s best-known comic actors, died on March 2, 2024, at the age of 62.