Dominic Nwuzoru, the manager of the late Nollywood comic actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, has disclosed that the comedian received even greater recognition in countries such as Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, Gabon, and Botswana during his lifetime.
He also said Mr Ibu used humour
to promote peace and unity across Africa, adding that he always held the
Nigerian flag showing his love for his country.
He stated this in an interview
with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
According to him, the late
veteran comedian was given several honours and recognitions by leaders and
communities across Africa during his lifetime.
“I remember vividly, how two
warring tribes in Ghana came together for the first time because of John’s
performance and he ended up reconciling them,” Nwuzoru said.
“He was thereafter given a
Chieftaincy title as the ‘Malangula I of Tamale Land’, meaning the peacemaker,
and I was named the ‘Ngulala’, meaning the mouthpiece of the peacemaker.
“When we went to Botswana, he
held the Nigerian flag when we landed to show how proud and patriotic he was
because they were hearing a lot of negative things about Nigeria then.
“He was a man I would say made
Africans laugh and was held in high esteem like a people’s leader across
Africa.”
He added, “Mr Ibu, as John was
popularly known, was not just an actor, but Nollywood ambassador that used his
talent and humour to promote peace, happiness and unity among Africans.
“I signed John in 2004, and
then our relationship grew beyond that of business to become that of friendship
as we have become so close till his death.
“The deal started with first
two years, and I did not bother him with the aspects of Nigerian movies, so he
could deal with anyone on Nigerian movies.
“But for anything concerning
international showbiz, I have to discuss with the promoters on the basic access
requirements and then we would move.
“There was no airport,
especially in Africa, where crowd of fans would not gather to welcome John, and
that was how I realised his popularity outside the shores of Nigeria.
“I can tell you that he was
even more celebrated in countries like Ghana, South Africa ,Kenya, Tanzania,
Gambia, Garbon, Botswana and he always held the Nigerian flag showing his love
for his country,” he said.
According to Nwuzoru, the late
thespian used his craft to project Nigeria in a positive light to the world,
especially in countries that have heard negative stories about the country.
“Then, John was one of the
positive things other countries wanted to hear about Nigeria and everybody
looked forward to meet him, including presidents of nations,” he said.
“For example, even a
two-year-old child in Ghana knows Mr Ibu, and one thing about him was his
friendliness and originality, as everything he does is just himself and does
not copy anyone.
“Foreigners fell in love with
Nigeria through John and wanted to visit the country because of him, as we got calls
from even the Caribbean.”
Mr Ibu recently passed away in
Lagos.
He was born on October 17, 1961
in Nkanu West Local Government of Enugu State.
He is well known for the ‘Mr.
Ibu series’, which included Mr. Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu 2 (2005), Mr. Ibu and His
Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr. Ibu in
London (2005).
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