Entertainment
BREAKING: Nollywood Icon Mr Ibu Passes Away At 62
Renowned Nollywood actor, John Okarfor, famously known as Mr Ibu, has tragically passed away at the age of 62.
The veteran comedian breathed his last at Evercare Hospital, as confirmed by sources close to him.
Mr Ibu, beloved for his comedic roles, leaves behind a legacy cherished by fans worldwide.
While the exact cause of his demise remains shrouded in uncertainty, reports gathered by Biztellers indicate that Mr Ibu had been battling health challenges since October 2023, undergoing multiple surgeries, including the amputation of his leg.
Despite initial signs of recovery reported by his family in November, his health took a devastating turn.
This sorrowful news comes in the wake of another loss to the Nollywood community, with the recent passing of Quadri Oyebamiji, popularly known as Sisi Quadri, adding to the somber mood within the industry.
Mr Ibu’s career was not without its controversies. In 2019, he made headlines after alleging that his domestic workers, influenced by his kinsmen, attempted to poison him due to jealousy over his flourishing career.
He reiterated similar claims in May 2022, suggesting multiple attempts on his life.
In a candid interview, Mr Ibu spoke of his harrowing experiences, revealing his brushes with death and his steadfast belief in divine intervention.
Despite the adversities he faced, he remained resilient, trusting in God’s providence to overcome his tribulations.
As news of his passing reverberates throughout the Nollywood community, numerous industry figures have taken to social media, lighting virtual candles and expressing their condolences, reflecting on Mr Ibu’s impactful contributions to Nigerian cinema.
The void left by Mr Ibu’s departure will undoubtedly be felt deeply within Nollywood and beyond, as fans mourn the loss of an irreplaceable talent whose laughter brought joy to countless lives.
Nigerians have been ranked among the top social media users globally, with 2024 data positioning the country fifth in the world for average daily time spent online.
According to figures from Cable.co.uk and We Are Social, shared by World of Statistics on X, Nigerians spend an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes per day on social media.
Leading the global list is Kenya, where users spend the most time on social media at 3 hours and 43 minutes daily. South Africa follows closely with 3 hours and 37 minutes, Brazil with 3 hours and 34 minutes, and the Philippines at 3 hours and 33 minutes.
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With an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes, Nigeria ranks just behind these top four countries in social media engagement.
Other nations with notable social media usage include Colombia at 3 hours and 22 minutes, Chile and Indonesia both at 3 hours and 11 minutes. Completing the top ten are Saudi Arabia and Argentina, with daily averages of 3 hours and 10 minutes and 3 hours and 8 minutes, respectively.
By comparison, some countries report lower social media usage. Ghana averages 2 hours and 43 minutes, Egypt 2 hours and 41 minutes, and Thailand 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Among European countries, social media engagement is generally lower, with Portugal averaging 2 hours and 23 minutes, Romania 2 hours and 20 minutes, and Italy 2 hours and 17 minutes, highlighting significant regional variations in social media usage.
Full list:
Kenya – 03:43
South Africa – 03:37
Brazil – 03:34
Philippines – 03:33
Nigeria – 03:23
Colombia – 03:22
Chile – 03:11
Indonesia – 03:11
Saudi Arabia – 03:10
Argentina – 03:08
Mexico – 03:04
Malaysia – 02:48
Ghana – 02:43
Egypt – 02:41
Thailand – 02:30
Bulgaria – 02:26
Vietnam – 02:23
Portugal – 02:23
Romania – 02:20
Italy – 02:17
Renowned Nollywood director and editor, Dimeji Ajibola, has passed away.
Ajibola reportedly died in the early hours of November 3, 2024, following a battle with an undisclosed illness.
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Actor Bolanle Ninalowo confirmed the tragic news through an Instagram post featuring a photo captioned: “I love you, brother, and I miss you, Dimeji Ajibola. May God heal your family and loved ones. Till we meet again, didi dox, rest on the champ.”
Ajibola was known for directing the 2023 Nigerian crime thriller series ‘Shanty Town’ and the 2012 award-winning urban musical film ‘Hoodrush,’ which earned accolades such as Best Movie at the 2012 Green Me Film Festival in Germany, among others.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted bail to the controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
Bobrisky was intercepted and taken off an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday night while trying to depart for London, United Kingdom.
The cross-dresser promptly informed his followers on social media about the incident, claiming he sustained injuries during the arrest.
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Bobrisky wrote, “Nigerians, help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”
He was subsequently flown to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja, where he was interrogated on his bribery allegations against the commission.
In a voice note shared by a controversial social critic, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him.
BIZTELLERS gathered that Bobrisky perfected his bail late Friday night and was subsequently released.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale confirmed Bobrisky’s release on Saturday but declined further comments.
However, a source familiar with the matter said the cross-dresser denied bribing the EFCC in his confessional statement made at the commission’s headquarters.
The source added that the cross-dresser challenged the person who posted the voice note to defend it.
“He denied everything about releasing money to any official as a bribe to drop the money laundering charges against him. He denied it in his statement. He said the fellow who posted the voice note should come over to justify it. He said nobody requested money from him in the EFCC and he didn’t give anyone anything”, said the source.
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