Biography & Career Of John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor

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Biography & Career Of John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor

John Ikechukwu Okafor (born 17 October 1961) is one of the Nigerian movie icons celebrated globally. Known in all ramifications as Mr Ibu; he is a renowned Nigerian actor, businessman, and comedian. He is also a musician who has dished out a couple of songs too.

John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor is considered one of Nigeria’s most talented and highly paid comic characters. His humorous acting is often characterized by stupidity, hilarious silliness, and a sharp disconnection from reality.

Early Life & Education

John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor hails from Nkanu West L.G., Enugu State. He was born on the 17th of October, 1961. He has a sister whose name is Queen Chioma Egboh. He is still alive, not death.

After elementary school, in 1974, he moved to Sapele to stay with his brother after his father’s demise. In Sapele, he did menial jobs to sponsor himself to school and support his family.

John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor then worked as a hairstylist, ventured into photography, and worked in a company that produces crates. After secondary school, he was admitted into the Yola College of Education but pulled out due to financial difficulties.

He later enrolled in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) as soon as he was financially able to.

Career

John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor has acted in over 200 movies, including Mr. Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu in London (2004), Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006), and Keziah (2007). All of these movies were watched widely across Nigeria.

He has worked in Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS). While he was there, he was a member of the cast in the soap opera Ogbu Anyanwu and Kwere Kira.

Also, John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor was once a martial artist. He practiced Shotokan Karate for 16 years and got a black belt in 1983. He is also a member of the Karate Federation of Nigeria.

According to him, he was the first instructor who taught Karate in federal government colleges in Nigeria. John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor used to be a trader. He collaborated with some of his friends.

They bought pretty used shoes, shirts, medical equipment, and other utensils from Niger and sold them in Nigeria.

Personal Life

John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor is currently married to Stella Maris Okafor, an actress, and a model. Their marriage is blessed with four children, namely Emmanuel Mandela Okafor, Chelsea Okafor, and Jay Jay Okafor.

What happened to be his hobbies are driving, cracking jokes, playing draft, and watching football, and he said he and his wife do a lot of those together sometimes. He currently has four children.

Filmography

• Agony, 1998

• Vuga, 2000

• Police Recruit, 2003

• Nicodemus, 2003

• Ngozi: Abeg Marry Us, 2003

• Naomi, 2003

• Informant, 2003

• Fresh Pain, 2003

• Civil War, 2003

• Bullet, 2003

• Unbreakable, 2004

• Mr. Ibu in London, 2004

• Mr. Ibu, 2004

• James & John, 2004

• Mr. Ibu, 2004

• James & John, 2004

• Dollars from Germany, 2004

• The Councillor, 2005

• Joshua, 2005

• Common Sense, 2005

• Circles of Live, 2005

• 9 Wives, 2005

• The Return of Mama-G, 2006

• The Journalist, 2006

• Sweet Mama, 2006

• Store Keeper, 2006

• Recharge Card, 2006

• Over Heat, 2006

• Men on the Run, 2006

• Four Forty, 2006

• Final Surrender, 2006

• Dear Mama, 2006

Awards & Nominations

John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor has received some awards in his career so far;

• He has been awarded as the Best Comedian by the Governor of Enugu State.

• He was also awarded as the best comedian by Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

• He was given Best Movie Actor of the Year, Peace Ambassadors of Nigeria, 2014

• He was given the Award of Excellence Magic Lens Africa Film Academy in 2016.

Net Worth

John ‘Mr. Ibu’ Okafor is estimated to have a net worth of US$3.5 million. He is one of the most popular Nigerian and richest actors in Nigeria Nollywood.

Also, he was endorsements deals with Merrybet and GoTV in 2014.