JOHN OKAFOR BIOGRAPHY, LIFESTYLE AND CAREER.

JOHN OKAFOR

John Okafor professionally known as Mr Ibu is a Nigerian actor, writer and comedian. He is one of the most talented comic characters in the industry. Mr Ibu is known to have written Ngozi: Abeg Marry Us (2003), Ibu in London (2004), Honeymoon Guys (2015) and some other comedy films. John Okafor is a talented actor, who left martial arts to follow his passion. He rose to prominence after starring as Ibu in Mr Ibu and Mr Ibu in London in 2004. John Okafor is more commonly known as Mr Ibu after an extremely popular role he played, though he had already adopted the name from his grandfather whom he says was his mentor and inspiration for doing comedy. John Okafor is undoubtedly one of the funniest men in Nigeria although his life hasn’t just been a barrel of laughs.

JOHN OKAFOR BIOGRAPHY

John Ikechukwu Okafor was born on October 17, 1961. He hails from Nkanu West L.G., Enugu State. After elementary school, in 1974, Okafor moved to Sapele to stay with his brother, after his father’s demise. In Sapele, he did menial jobs so he could sponsor himself to school and support his family. He then worked as a hairstylist, ventured into photography and also worked in a company that produces crates. 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) as soon as he was financially able to.

JOHN OKAFOR PERSONAL LIFE

As alluded to earlier, Mr Ibu has not had the easiest of family lives. In the early days of his life, six members of his family were killed with poison. Mr Ibu had a divorce and then got married to his current wife, Stella Marris, in 2015. He and Stella Maris have three children but he,

unfortunately, lost his first son Emmanuel Okafor in the saddest of circumstances. His hobbies include driving, cracking jokes, playing draft and watching football.

JOHN OKAFOR EARLY LIFE

Okafor worked in Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS). While he was there, he was casted in the soap opera Ogbu Anyanwu and Kwere Kira. Also, he was once a martial artist. He practised Shotokan Karate for 16 years and got a black belt in 1983. Also, Mr Ibu is 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 Okafor was once a trader. He collaborated with some of his friends. They bought fairly used shoes, shirts, medical equipment et.c from Niger and sold them in Nigeria.

EARLY CAREER

Firstly, Okafor starred in a soap opera at the Anambra Broadcasting Service. Later on, he began professionally as a production assistant. While doing that, he learnt the rudiments of film production while diligently working with the producers. 

In the process, producers started discovering his comic side. He was specifically discovered by Alex Ezeamaku, the MD, Zalex Production. Alex gave John a role in 1997. Okafor acted as an imbecile and played the role to the delight of the directors. Thereafter, he began to star in movies and was drawing comedy inspiration from Nkem Owoh, Zebrudaya and co. Today, he is a gallant actor and has starred in hundreds of movies. 

As a producer, Okafor produce movies yearly. He is known for producing Mr Ibu, Naomi, Allegations and other comedy movies. Also, he has starred with A list actors like Patience Ozokwor, Pete Edochie, Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, Monalisa Chinda e.t.c   

JOHN OKAFOR

FILMS

Some of the movies he featured include; 

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

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

Chelsea/Liverpool, 2006

Captain, 2006

Brainwash, 2006

Fool at 40, 2006

Toronto Connection, 2007

Keziah, 2007

How Far, 2007

Bafana Bafana, 2007

Basket Mouth, 2007

Desperate Search, 2007

The Tusk of Life, 2008

Mental Case, 2008

Yahoozee Prophets, 2009

Most Wanted Kidnappers, 2010

Open & Close, 2011

Honeymoon Guys, 2015

See Also: Damilola Adegbite – Biography, success story and movies of a delectable actress. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Okafor has been awarded as the Best Comedian by the Governor of Enugu State. He was also awarded best comedian by Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.  His other awards include;  

Best Movie Actor of the Year, Peace Ambassadors of Nigeria, 2014

Awards of Excellence, Magic Lens Africa Film Academy, 2016

See Also: Bolanle Ninalowo – Biography of Nino B, the picture perfect actor. 

John Okafor Net Worth 

According to nollylibrary, Okafor is worth $4.2 million. He is one of the most popular Nigerian actor. Also, he was endorsed by Merrybet and Gotv in 2014.

JOHN OKAFOR QUOTES

“Your talent will always bring you out.”

“When everything is well planned and put in place, you will feel at ease.”

“If you marry another man’s wife, you are finished..”

“When you talk about romance, the average man thinks of making love to a woman, but it is not so..”. 

“If you are romantic, it constitutes everything that transpires between you and a woman, whether she is your girlfriend or not.”

“Whatever you are doing, anything you want to do, focus on it, don’t deviate.”

“If you hate, your own business will not grow. If you love yourself and love your neighbour your business will grow.”

“Your friend is doing something and you like what he or she is doing but it is not in you, don’t push yourself into doing it because the result may not be satisfactory.”

“If you don’t have passion for a particular career, do not venture into it.”

“If you do a job and your fans out there are criticising you, it is not a pass mark.”

ENTREPRENEURIAL LESSONS FROM JOHN OKAFOR

START

Majority of the big wigs and businesses we see today started small. Okafor started with what he knew best, which was standing behind the camera. Having his eye on the big price, he was learning and building himself for the big screen. In no time, he was discovered and when given a role, he did extremely well. 

CREATE A NICHE 

Mr Ibu over the years have carved a niche for himself in the industry because of the kind of roles he play. In an interview, he said “professionally, I am an Idiot.” He said, his roles have opened several doors that he never envisaged. He is known for something and he is super good at it.  In business, do not be a jack of all trade, master of none. Create a niche for yourself and dominate that niche.

JOHN OKAFOR NET WORTH
According to nollylibrary, Okafor is worth $4.2 million. He is one of the most popular Nigerian actor.