Stella Maris, the wife of the beloved Nollywood actor John Okafor, famously known as Mr. Ibu, has broken her silence regarding the perceived lack of support from the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) for her husband during a critical period.
In a video that swiftly gained attention on October 21, she accused the AGN of exploiting her husband’s fragile health to gain publicity.
Maris’s allegations were prompted by AGN’s claims that they had been providing assistance to Mr. Ibu even before the public disclosure of his health condition. Kate Henshaw, the Director of Communications for the guild, delivered this message in an Instagram video she shared on Friday, emphasizing the AGN’s unwavering commitment to aiding its members, particularly in health-related matters.
The saga began when Mr. Ibu revealed in a video on Wednesday that he had received a diagnosis that could result in the amputation of his leg. His plea for support from the general public ignited a discussion among Nigerians about the responsibilities of the Nollywood industry in caring for its actors.
In a heartwarming turn of events, former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki stepped forward and generously covered all of Mr. Ibu’s medical expenses through his foundation, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation. In response to Mr. Ibu’s appeal, the foundation announced on Friday that it had successfully settled the hospital bills.
In a statement on the Twitter platform, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation expressed its honor in providing support to Mr. John Okafor, also known as Mr. Ibu, a celebrated comedic icon who has brought laughter and joy to countless households over the past four decades.
