Stella Maris, the spouse of renowned Nollywood actor John Okafor, better known as Mr. Ibu, has claimed that the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) provided no support to her husband whatsoever.
She accused them of exploiting her husband’s illness for the sake of gaining attention.
In a widely circulated video posted online on Saturday, October 21, Ibu’s wife criticized the AGN for making false claims about assisting her husband and expressed her dissatisfaction with how the AGN was utilizing her husband.
Maris’s allegations arose after the guild had asserted that it had been providing support to Mr. Ibu even before the public disclosure of his health condition.
This information was conveyed by the guild’s Director of Communications, Kate Henshaw, in a video she shared on her Instagram account on Friday.
Henshaw emphasized that the guild has consistently upheld its commitment to supporting members, particularly when it comes to health-related challenges.
Recalling that on Wednesday, Mr. Ibu shared a video with his fans, revealing that he had received a diagnosis of an illness that posed a threat to his leg.
In the video, the actor appealed for assistance from the general public, sparking reactions from some Nigerians who questioned the Nollywood industry’s efforts in aiding its actors.
Meanwhile, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has taken care of all the medical expenses for the ailing Mr. Ibu through his foundation, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation.
Mr. Ibu made a heartfelt plea to Nigerians on Wednesday, expressing his desire to avoid the amputation of his legs due to an undisclosed ailment.
Responding to his plea, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation came to his aid on Friday, covering all of his medical expenses.
The foundation officially confirmed the payment of the hospital bills in a statement posted on their Twitter platform.
The statement reads as follows: “The Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation is honored to have extended support to Mr John Okafor also known as Mr. Ibu, a renowned comedic icon who has graced our screens and brought joy and laughter to countless homes over the past four decades.”