The way one recent encounter with John ‘Mr Ibu’ Okafor would have it, an amputated led has nothing on him as he could still muster the humour that has now made him a lifelong memory to a generation of millennials and Gen Zers growing up in the 2000s, which is a special record to have attached to your name.

On the movie screen, Mr Ibu portrays a chucklesome character whose experience of daily challenges in the remote communities that he interacted with revealed not just clumsiness but also morals and lessons that viewers can gather from the difficult situations he was wrapped in.

Now, it is real life entering into this month that Mr Okafor who plays this character has just lost his leg. On Monday, 6 November 2023, his family released a statement confirming this and that the 62-year-old actor had undergone up to seven surgeries. The genesis of this was a month earlier while onset with other Nollywood actors. It was then that he developed problems although no ailment was confirmed.

ALSO READ: Sad to see Mr Ibu give up a leg to stay alive

A visit to an intensive care facility in the upscale Lekki district of Lagos by sympathising colleagues revealed a different side of under-recovery Mr Ibu or John Okafor that no one had ever seen. Charles Inojie, a comedian has been with the patient on several movie sets and even he had to tag him the “indomitable humourist” because of how he seems to be holding things together. Although it was noticed that he shed tears sometimes, he was generally a good sport in a lively hospital room banter with a familiar face.

Over there Charles Inojie’s Facebook was where it was all documented. How the nurses had a hearty time making their rounds just because of the taking obstacle on the chin personality that Mr Ibu exuded. This post partly reads the following conversation. It represents the chat that went on between them while meeting.

“I walked into his private ward in the ICU in the company of Chinyere Wilfred at whose behest we made the journey to Ever Care where he is being treated. We had just finished from a set, and she suggested that we take the opportunity to visit Ibu. With us were Jasmine, Mrs Ibu, and a woman I believe is her friend.

As soon as we stepped into the room, his eyes lit up, and he retorted:

IBU: “Idiot, what are you doing here?”

ME: “Mumu, why you carry your leg go give mallam to dey cut?”

IBU: “I get sense?”

He would go on to quibble a few friendly banters with Chinyere. In fact, suffice to say that if a total stranger walked into that room that minute, he would never be able to tell who, indeed, [the patient was].”

The moment that preceded the tears symbolised a bond and a blunt taste of comradeship. It was from just like the early years on the screen where ‘Mr Ibu’ would find a clear screen even in the midst of adversity and chaos while entertaining home video audiences. Through a familiar bond built over decades, they can make a positive interpretation of the actor mocking the grief of having his leg amputated. It happened like some sort of art the way he asked his guest a question.

“Idiot, you go dey cry. Wetin dey beat you?” This is John Okafor as he continues to push back at life even though he only just got served. It is obvious that he will never back down.

At the end of this phase will be a new chapter – there will be more to come from him be it onscreen or off-screen. Back at the hospital, Mr Okafor and Mr Ibu have been delivering massive courage on the path to recovery.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.