Nollywood legends, and celebrities to storm Enugu for Mr Ibu’s Night of Tribute
Nollywood legends, actors, actresses, and other celebrities from the entertainment industry are set to gather in Enugu State for the Night of Tribute in honor of the late veteran actor, Mr. Ibu.
In a press release, the Central Planning Committee (CPC) refuted reports that the actor’s family was soliciting funds for his burial. We reported that rumors had circulated about the family opening a GoFundMe for this purpose.
The CPC, along with notable friends and family members of the late actor, dismissed these reports as false, attributing them to malicious individuals and a publication by blogger Mazi Tunde Ednut. They emphasized that the misleading stories were intended to portray Okafor’s family as beggars.
Committee Chairman Monday Diamond Ani condemned these stories as manipulative, malicious, fabricated, and orchestrated by a malicious group targeting Mr. Ibu both during his illness and after his death.
He noted that the Central Planning Committee not minding the several millions of Naira consumed by the late John Okafor’s sickness in several hospitals in Nigeria, has made several plans towards Mr. Ibu’s burial such as the erection of billboards across Enugu State, organizing a star-studded tribute performance which will hold at the Base Event Center Enugu, novelty match to honor Mr. Ibu and other commitments towards making the burial historical.
Speaking further about the development of the burial arrangements, Diamond said: “It is important to note that the night of tribute which is coming up on the 26th of June will be preceded by a novelty match which will be played on the 25th of June between celebrities and personalities against Rangers International football club of Enugu at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.”
He warned the ‘evil-doers, image destroyers of celebrities on social media’ to desist from tarnishing Mr. Ibu’s personality to avoid the wrath of God.
“ I want to make it categorically clear that there was never a time when such publication emanated from us. Its the handwork of some miscreants, enemies of progress who must have wished for Mr. Ibu’s death and are perhaps happy that Mr. Ibu is no more and wanted to use this medium or avenue to tarnish the name of Mr. Ibu and the Okafor family in general,” he said.
He added: “It is a fact that a fund is being raised to support the burial of Mr. Ibu which is customary in Igbo land where well-wishers will be contributing funds to support the burial. Some will even bring live cows, provide financial support, provide help in logistics and that’s what is happening in the case of Mr Ibu, so it is not a taboo.”
However, someone coming out on social media to say that the Okafor family needs funds to bury Mr. Ibu, is a lie from the pit of hell and should be disregarded. Mr. Ibu was the king of comedy movies in Africa and represented Nigeria as far as motion pictures is concerned and will be buried not like a kid, but as the legend that he was.”
