Mr Ibu’s family denies claim of soliciting funds for burial

The family of Mr Ibu, the late actor, has denied a report claiming that the burial planning committee is seeking financial support from the public.

Born John Okafor, Mr Ibu died from a cardiac arrest on March 2 at Evercare Hospital in Lagos.

The 62-year-old actor had battled with a life-threatening illness for months before he passed on.

In April, the family of Mr Ibu announced that the actor will be buried on June 28.

The family said the ceremony will open with a novelty match on June 25, followed by a candlelight procession the following day.

There will be a wake-keep ceremony at the actor’s compound while a thanksgiving service will be held on June 30.

Last weekend, a blog post claimed the family and friends of Mr Ibu set up a GoFundMe page to help finance the burial.

But reacting via a statement, the burial committee denied the report, saying “it is an attempt to ridicule and malign the Okafor’s family”.

“Contrary to speculation and misinformation from a group of people who have been sponsoring fake news about the burial arrangement for late John Okafor popularly known as Mr. Ibu,” the statement reads in part.

“The Central Planning Committee (CPC), some notable friends and family members of the late actor have distanced themselves from such publications on social media sponsored by some evil minds and published by one Mazitundeednut concerning late Mr Ibu’s burial with the caption: ‘Family, friends beg for funds to bury Mr. Ibu’.”

Monday Diamond Ani, the committee’s chairman, described the report as “manipulating, malicious, fabricated and engineered by the evil gang against Mr. Ibu”.

Diamond, however, warned rumour mongers to desist from “tarnishing Mr. Ibu’s personality to avoid the wrath of God”.

“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 said.

“I want to make it categorically clear that there was never a time when such publication emanated from us. It is 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.

“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.”

The committee revealed that Rudeboy, Flavour, Apkororo, and Chukwuemeka Odumeje Ohanaemere will attend the burial ceremony.

Other personalities expected are Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Patience Ozokwor, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze, Mercy Johnson, Rachel Okonkwo, Ngozi Ezeonu, and Emeka Rollas, the AGN President.