Entertainment
Mr Ibu Hospitalized, Appeals For Financial Aid To Avoid Leg Amputation
Nollywood actor, John Okafor better known as Mr. Ibu, has found himself reaching out for financial assistance from the Nigerian community.
In a video shared on his Instagram on October 18, 2023, the ailing actor was seen lying in a hospital bed, explaining that he has been battling illness for several weeks with no improvement despite treatment.
In a feeble voice, he expressed his concern about the potential need for leg amputation if he doesn’t receive the necessary medical care.
“While I am hoping for prayers and assistance, as I speak to you I am still lying down in the hospital. The medical director of this hospital said that in case his new idea does not work, the next idea is to cut off my leg. Just see me, if they cut off my leg where would I go? Pray for me, I don’t want my leg to be cut off, thank you so much, God, bless you,” said the actor.
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Okafor’s wife and daughter were also in the video, beckoning on Nigerians to keep them in their prayers and lend financial assistance where necessary. His daughter noted that she has been shouldering the bills for as long as the actor has been ill. She also stressed that the family would prefer to fly him out of the country for more treatment.
She said, “I’ve been the one handling the bills and I am financially drained, we can’t do it alone. He’s not getting better, some days it looks like he is and other days it looks like he is getting worse.
“We are still at the hospital and they want to transfer him to another hospital because he is not getting better. We want to appeal to Nigerian individuals or organisations to please fly daddy abroad for better treatment. This is not the first time daddy is down like this.”
On October 17, the iconic actor and comedian marked his 62nd birthday in the hospital room, with his family by his side. In a video shared on his page, Okafor was visibly in discomfort as he sat in front of his birthday cake, with noticeable swelling in one of his legs.
Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has set a new benchmark, becoming the first African artist to achieve the highest concert revenue from a single tour.
According to Touring Data, the global tour monitoring platform, Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness tour is now officially the highest-grossing tour by an African artist in Oceania’s history, earning $3.1 million from 31,000 tickets sold across four shows.
The milestone was reached during the Sydney leg at Qudos Bank Arena, where Burna Boy alone generated $1.117 million in ticket sales.
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The tour spans 20 shows across three continents—North America, Europe, and Oceania.
In Australia, the four shows sold approximately 30,946 tickets, reinforcing the fact that African artists can sell out major arenas worldwide.
With hits like On The Low, Burna Boy’s global tours have become some of the highest-earning tours by African musicians.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has publicly declared love and appreciation for her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, years after their highly publicised split.
The emotional moment occurred during their son King Andre’s 10th birthday celebration held in Abuja, where Dikeh offered heartfelt prayers and words of affirmation for Churchill in the presence of guests.
In a video from the event that has since gone viral on social media, the actress described Churchill as “an amazing father” and expressed gratitude for his role in their son’s life.
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“You are an amazing father, thank you so much,” she said. “Your businesses will flourish; whoever curses you shall be cursed. I love you with the love of God.”
Dikeh further prayed for Churchill’s family and children, asking for divine protection, success and progress in all their endeavours.
“I pray for your family. I pray for your business. I pray for all the children. They will progress. Failure will not meet them. Everything that they touch will be blessed,” she declared.
The development marks a significant shift in the relationship between the former couple, whose marriage ended in 2017 amid allegations and public disputes that dominated entertainment headlines for years.
Recently, Dikeh revealed that they had reconciled and “buried the hatchet,” signalling an end to their long-running feud and a renewed focus on peaceful co-parenting.
Churchill later married actress Rosy Meurer in 2021, and the couple have two children together. Despite past controversies, both families appear to have embraced maturity and mutual respect.
The birthday celebration and Dikeh’s public declaration have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many applauding the former couple for putting aside differences for the sake of their son.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.
According to the statement, the governor approved the appointment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between the government and the people of Edo State.
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“This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy,” the statement read.
Johnson-Okojie, a renowned actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with nearly two decades in the industry and appearances in over 200 films.
Beyond her acting career, she is the founder of the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, which focuses on women empowerment, child welfare, educational support, and healthcare outreach.
The Edo State Government expressed confidence that her influence, public appeal, and grassroots connection would help boost awareness of government programmes and encourage citizen participation in state policies.
Her husband, Odianosen Okojie, represents Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The appointment has sparked conversations across social media, with supporters describing it as a strategic move to bridge the gap between governance and the entertainment industry.
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