Entertainment
JUST IN: Mr Ibu, popular Nollywood actor, is dead
Nollywood actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu has reportedly died at the age of 62 after prolonged battle with ailment.
Multiple sources close to Mr. Ibu said that the veteran actor and comedian passed away at Evercare hospital.
Emeka Rollas, National President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), confirmed his death on his instagram page on Saturday.
Late Mr Ibu
Rollas 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 of 24 years, Mr Don Single Nwuzor.
“I announce with deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu didn’t make it. May his soul rest in peace.”
The actor is trending on X, with many fans mourning his demise.
In October 2023, the actor revealed that he was suffering from an ailment that threatened to amputate one of his legs. He said he was struck by the problem while on a movie set with other Nollywood actors and actresses.
Mr. Ibu had appealed to his fans and the public for prayers and financial assistance to cover his medical bills. He also shared a video of himself lying in a hospital bed, expressing his fear of losing his leg.
The Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation, which was established by the former senate president of Nigeria, paid off Mr. Ibu’s entire medical expenses as of 18 October 2023.
The foundation also stated that Okafor still required a lot of financial assistance to sustain him in the hospital and for his travel abroad for further treatment.
In November 2023, Okafor underwent a leg amputation after suffering from an illness that required seven surgeries.
His family said the amputation was done to keep him alive and increase his chances of recovery.
The actor hails from Nkanu West L.G.A., Enugu State. After elementary school, in 1974, Okafor moved to Sapele to stay with his brother, after his father’s demise.
After secondary school, he was admitted into the College of Education, Yola, but pulled out due to financial difficulties. He later enrolled in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu as soon as he was financially able to.
Mr. Ibu had acted in more than 200 Nollywood movies including Mr. Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu 2 (2005), Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr.Ibu in London (2005), Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006) and Keziah (2007).
TheGazelleNews, popular Lagos based online newspaper is set to honour the trio of Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Asiwaju Olorunfumi Bashorun and Chief Waliu Ojuko for their contribution to democracy and governance in Nigeria.
Solomon, Bashorun and Ojuko will be honoured with the flagship award of the online newspaper, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Annual Public Lecture and Award of the newspaper scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 15 July, 2026.
The lecture with the theme: Driving Grassroots Governance with Public-Private Partnership: The Gains, the Pains, the Prospects will be delivered by Chief Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication
According to a statement by the Chairperson of the Organising Committee for the event, Mrs Adetutu Audu-Adebisi, the Lifetime Achievement Award is the flagship award for politicians who have distinguished themselves and contribute immensely to the democracy and governance in the country.
”Our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the maiden award in 2022 while the Chairman of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi won it in 2024.
”This year we are honouring three distinguished Nigerians who have played major roles in governance and sustenance of democracy in the country,” Mrs Audu-Adebisi said.
Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon popularly called GOS by many is a deeply rooted grassroots politician.
Senator Solomon has developed a political career that has made him a man of the people.
He was former Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, was a member of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007 where he represented Mushin Federal Constituency I.
Between 2007 and 2015, Senator Solomon represented Nigeria’s biggest Senatorial District, Lagos West where he rose to become the Minority Whip of the Upper Chamber.
A Rotarian, Solomon is very popular among the people particularly those at the grassroots.
Presently, he is a member of the very influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and is the APC Apex Leader for Mushin combining the two Federal and State Constituencies.
Elder Statesman, Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfumi Bashorun is the first Secretary to the State Government (SSG) when he served the administration of the late Lateef Kayode Jakande between 1979 and 1983.
A former banker and highly referred politician, Asiwaju Olorunfumi Bashorun was an active player in the aborted Third Republic.
A member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Bashorun was one of the leaders who contributed to the success of late MKO Abiola in the SDP presidential primary in Jos.
The Igbogbo-born politician was in the forefront of the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 election.
Presently, he is a member of the GAC.
Chief Waliu Olajide Ojuko is a highly respected Awori politician.
Born in Ota, Ogun State, Chief Ojuko had a highly distinguished civil service life in both state and federal civil service in Lagos and Ogun states before venturing into politics.
He was a director at Gateway Hotels during the administration of late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo
He was Ogun state Secretary of the Social Democratic Party where he played key role in delivering Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola at the Jos Convention and his electoral victory alongside former Governor Olusegun Osoba.
He was Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative & Tourism under Olusegun Osoba;
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and
Senior Special Adviser Political Affairs under Gov. Dapo Abiodun
Chief Ojuko is the
Olotu of Ota Aworiland;
Balogun Ojokoro, Lagos;
President, Iganmode Club, Ota;
Member, Abeokuta Sports Club;
Member, Lagos Island Club; and
National President, Iganmode Grammar School Old Students Association
Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has come under heavy fire after making a controversial claim about hip-hop.
The ‘Declan Rice’ crooner sparked fresh controversy after re-echoing Wizkid’s infamous claim that hip-hop music is no longer relevant.
While reacting to a list of Nigerian artists with the most monthly listeners on Spotify currently via X, Odumodublvck boldly declared, “Hip Hop is dead,” alluding to the conspicuous absence of Nigerian rappers from the list.
His post elicited mixed reactions, with many berating him for disrespecting the genre while arguing that hip-hop is still much relevant outside Nigeria.
Despite Nigeria having both veteran and thriving rappers, hip-hop artists are absent from the list of Nigerian artists with the most monthly listeners on Spotify currently, with singers occupying the entire top 10.
Burna Boy leads with 40.68 million listeners, closely followed by Tems with 40.64 million listeners.
Rema ranks number 3 with 29.43 million listeners, while Ayra Starr and Wizkid take the numbers 4 and 5 spots with 16.84 and 16.81 million listeners, respectively.
Omah Lay (11.24m), Davido (10.83m), CKay (10.71m), Fireboy DML (9.23m), and Asake (8.69m) complete the top 10.
Grammy Award-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has revealed how nervous she felt while performing at the official dedication of the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago on Wednesday.
The singer shared on X that nerves got to her after she mistakenly called former U.S. President Barack Obama’s daughter by the wrong name while addressing the crowd.
“I am so blessed and honoured to be here… this one is to you, everyone, here, to Mr and Mrs Obama, to Sandra, and all the family,” Tems said before her set, wearing a red gown.
She later posted on X: “Lord knows I was nervous! Please forgive me!!!”
The ceremony took place at John Lewis Plaza on the centre’s 19-acre campus, formally unveiling the $850 million facility ahead of its public opening on June 19.
Tems joined a global lineup that included Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Common, Bono, The Edge, Marc Anthony, and The Roots.
The three-day programme opened with the June 18 dedication, followed by public access and community activities through June 21.
The Obama Presidential Centre also displays a portrait by Nigerian-born artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby, marking Nigerian representation at the site.
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