President Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale condoled with the families of “these gifted thespians who brought joy and relief to millions of Nigerians by the exercise of their geniuses.”

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Also, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, described Ibu’s demise as “a huge loss, not just to the entertainment industry, but also, to the nation.”

In a condolence message posted on his X (formerly Twitter), handle yesterday, Obi prayed for God to console the bereaved family and the country at large.

Obi’s post reads, “Just as I tweeted my condolence on the death of Nollywood actor, Sisi Quadri, a lot of people, through my comments section, called my attention to the death of veteran Nollywood actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu.”

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Obi described Mr. Ibu’s demise as “saddening,” adding that he was a legendary comic actor, who embodied laughter, exuded joy and spread happiness.

“When sadly he took ill, we all prayed for his quick recovery and hoped he would bounce back in good health.

“His death is a huge loss, not just to the entertainment industry, but to the nation. Those artists who lighten the mood of the nation also perform a great task of helping us all weather the dark storms of life.

“On behalf of my family, I commiserate with his bereaved family, the Actors Guild of Nigeria, who just lost two legendary actors within a few days and the entire Nollywood family.

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“We share the pains of his death but are comforted by the cherished moments of joy and happiness he left behind.

“May God, who called him home grant him eternal rest and grant his family, and all of us who mourn him, the fortitude to bear his sad irreplaceable loss. Rest in peace Mr. Ibu.”

Mr Ibu, 62, died, weekend, at Evercare Hospital, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, as a result of a cardiac arrest.

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National President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Chief Emeka Rollas, who confirmed the sad news in an Instagram post, said Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest while receiving treatment at the hospital and did not make it.

According to Rollas, the deceased’s manager, Don Single Nwuzor revealed that the comic actor had been battling cardiac arrest for 24 years.

He said: “Sad day for Actors Guild of Nigeria. Kate Henshaw lost her mother earlier today and Mr. Ibu suffered cardiac arrest according to his manager, Mr. Don Single Nwuzor.

“I announce with a deep sense of grief that Mr. Ibu didn’t make it. May his soul rest in peace,” Rollas wrote on IG.

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