Rangers International Football Club, along with celebrities, top personalities, and fans, will today (Tuesday) honor the late Nollywood actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, with a novelty match celebrating his remarkable comedy career.
Rangers FC, the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League champions, will participate in the highly anticipated match, adding to the euphoria of their recent victory. The event is organized as part of Mr. Ibu’s burial plans.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for Mr. Ibu’s burial, Monday Ani, the novelty match is a tribute to Mr. Ibu. Rangers, being the official club of the Enugu State Government, are involved to show the state’s appreciation for the late actor.
The statement partly read, “The Novelty Match is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 25th of June, at the Cathedral of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. The time for the Novelty Match is 4 pm prompt. Sports lovers, friends, and well-wishers are enjoined to be part of this historic match.”
Ani expressed gratitude to the General Manager of Rangers FC, Amobi Ezeaku, and the Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremmadu, for their support. “Special thanks go to the General Manager of Rangers FC, Amobi Ezeaku, and Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremmadu, for their remarkable effort and time invested in the planning of this novelty match,” he said.
Ani also noted that donations for the funeral service from family and friends were ongoing and the committee appreciates the goodwill of all who wish to honor the late Mr. Ibu. “Special thanks to everybody investing their time, money, and effort towards the success of this last remembrance, especially to the Best Family who donated a live cow for this event. May your efforts towards the success of this event be returned a thousandfold,” the statement concluded.
Mr. Ibu passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024. In October 2023, he was reported ill and required financial assistance. In November 2023, his family confirmed that one of his legs had been amputated to save his life due to an infection of the arteries at the ankle that was not detected early enough, as his former manager Emeka Chochoo said exclusive chat.
