Stella Maris Okafor, the widowed wife of late Nollywood actor John Okafor, better known as Mr Ibu, has shared an emotional note with the public following the burial of her beloved husband.
Taking to her Instagram page, Stella Maris reflected on the challenges her family has faced since Mr Ibu’s passing.
Today, July 12th, marks two weeks since Mr Ibu was laid to rest. Stella described these weeks as extremely challenging for her and her family. From the onset of her husband’s illness, their journey was fraught with numerous hospital visits. As his condition worsened, they faced countless sleepless nights, filled with hope and prayers for a miracle. The love and laughter Mr Ibu brought into their lives were replaced by an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty. Despite their best efforts and the dedication of the medical team, they ultimately lost him to the cold hands of death.
Stella Maris expressed her profound gratitude for the support they received during this trying period. She noted that the outpouring of donations and encouragement from compassionate individuals provided them with the strength to continue. This remarkable support helped them manage medical expenses and cope with the emotional strain.
She also penned an appreciation post to Peter Obi, the Enugu State government and its governor, the Commissioner of Tourism Enugu, the Actors Guild of Nigeria, and many others for their support to her and her family during these difficult times.
Today makes it two weeks since we laid my beloved husband, Mr John Okafor (Mr Ibu), to rest. This period has been challenging for me and my family. From the moment my husband’s illness began, it was a difficult journey filled with numerous hospital visits. As his condition worsened, we faced countless sleepless nights, hoping and praying for a miracle. The love and laughter he brought into our lives were replaced by an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty. Despite our best efforts and the dedication of his medical team, we lost him to the cold hands of death. During these trying times, the support we received from generous and compassionate individuals provided us with the strength to continue. The outpouring of donations and encouragement from Nigerians was nothing short of remarkable, helping us manage medical expenses and cope with the emotional strain.”
Stella Maris went on to express her appreciation for the support her family has received, specifically mentioning the kindness and generosity shown by the public and various organizations.
The Nollywood industry has been in mourning since the veteran actor’s passing in March. Mr Ibu, who had battled health issues for months, succumbed to a cardiac arrest. His death was confirmed by Emeka Rollas, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Mr Ibu was beloved by many and had left an indelible mark on the industry.
A night of tribute was held on June 26th, attended by many of his colleagues, followed by his burial on June 27th in his hometown in Enugu State. Stella Maris shared that she felt an immense wave of grief on Father’s Day, remembering her late husband. She also acknowledged the unwavering support from the Nollywood industry, which has been a pillar of strength for her and her children.
Also Read: Mr Ibu’s Widow Stella Maris Makes First Public Statement After His Death
