I Couldn't Control Myself On Set The First Time I Met My Wife -- Mr Ibu

His ragged, time-worn singlet is stretched to the limit by the pressure of his protruding belly. Lazily, he lies on a rickety three-legged wooden chair creaking in protest under his unbearable weight. As he rakes his teeth with an Iroko-like chewing stick, he sticks out his tongue and expels sputum. Dipping his large left hand between his buttocks, he gives it a lengthy scratch; he does the same thing to his crotch. He yawns. He yelps. And you’re wondering what kind of man is this? That’s John Okafor’s character, Mr. Ibu, out of a movie scene. Unquestionably one of Nollywood’s most talented comic actors, Okafor is a dazzling actor; a delight to movie enthusiasts both home and abroad. His roles in movies border on plain stupidity to sheer impossibility. But he is not just an actor whose role is to fool around –in real life, he doesn’t. He’s a man of pride who will not belittle himself or tarnish his hard-earned image. In this interview with Oge Ezeliora of thisdaylive Okafor talks about what makes him tick, his grouse with the AGN and other actors. A family man, he also touches on his love-at-first-sight beautiful wife and children

What do you think is the problem facing Nollywood industry?
Nollywood is suffering from so many problems. One of these problems is the sycophancy from the industry’s leaders, the people in power. I mean the people running the industry are just running after politicians. Nollywood as a whole don’t have good leaders. All they do is attach themselves to politicians and seek for political office instead of restructuring the industry. We don’t even have a standard office; we are not united and we are not financially structured. You can ask the upcoming stars how they cope; they will tell you the truth of what they pass through to have a role in a movie, especially the ladies. Some of them have abandoned their education to become movie makers. Our leaders are just using and dumping. I mean they are just using the upcoming artistes to act movies and achieve their aims. Sometimes they feature them in their movies without paying them.
Recently, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Godswill Akpabio, donated N50million to Nollywood. But till date no one can give accurate account of how the money was shared. I, as Mr. Ibu, did not get a kobo from that money, talk less of others. Some people that claimed they are veterans in the industry just grabbed all the money and put it into their pocket. That is to tell you how greedy our leaders in the industry can be. They just went there collected the money and shared it among themselves. Without letting anybody know. How do we go forward with that kind of attitude? We don’t have a secretariat; we don’t have a training centre for Nollywood. We don’t even have a school that young actors and actresses can benefits from. All they know is to run after governors and the president to collect money. Now, they are using the Actors Guild of Nigeria as another medium of collecting money from people. Is the guild not supposed to help its members? After all, members pay to register. Some female upcoming actresses even go out of their ways to look for money to join the AGN because they want to be connected.


As a Nollywood actor, who has spent over a decade in the industry, why are you not a member of the AGN?
I am a strong member of the guild. Let me use the word ‘core.’ I am a core member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. I fought for the right of AGN; I equipped its office when the guild just started. As a matter of fact, when we started the guild, I even advised members to shoot a movie on behalf of AGN, so that people can know what the guild is all about. But they ignored my advice. I even promised to act free for them since it’s our guild, but no one listened to me. What do you want me to do? If you notice every day there is one crisis or the other in the guild. That is because they are too greedy. They are not sincere. That is the truth. When I noticed the dubious attitude of some of the people running the guild, I had to leave. I stopped attending meetings because nobody was ready to listen to me. Everybody is interested in making money from the guild. Immediately, after the regime of Emma Ogugua, as the President of the AGN, we have never had a better person. We have never had a president that can wipe away our tears.

What’s wrong in you being part of the AGN executives going to meet governors for assistance?
I don’t want to join those that bother the government. I don’t want to been seen as a beggar because I want a political appointment. I still want people to respect me, by letting my work to speak for me. I will only go to a Government House when I am invited by the Governor himself not to go and beg for a favour all in the name of AGN. I am from Enugu State. But do you believe I am not too close to my governor? I know I have been there twice. First time was when I went there to defend a tape in the press unit. I didn’t even go to the governor’s main office. Second time was when my friend and my brother, Afam Okereke, was appointed as the SSA to the governor on media issues. And he invited me to come and celebrate with him. That is the second time I went to the office of the governor of my state. On my own, I have never visited the governor and I will never go begging for favour because I am a Nollywood actor or AGN member. I left AGN, for a better reason and I am not regretting it today.

But will you respond if the governor invites you?
Yes, I will respond; that is because I am invited by him. I am waiting for that day to come. But as for me to disguise as an AGN member or sycophant to seek for his assistance, that I cannot do and will never do. I don’t want to be embarrassed by any politician. I know many of my colleagues that they have chased out of the Government House because they were looking for assistance. I am a proud actor and I command respect for myself. I am not a broke ass. I am a famous actor –a very good one who earns a great pay. Why then should I belittle myself because I need attention or I am looking for financial assistance? It is not possible. If my governor needs me he will invite me, then, I will honour him.

What is the way forward?
We need prayers in Nollywood –that is all I can say. Even the stars are struggling to make it by all means so it’s a joint effort. I know very soon we will have a better guild, either the devil likes it or not. We are working towards a better future for Nollywood; by God’s grace we will sail through. I have had meetings with some of the stakeholders in the industry. We are coming up with a good plan to promote the guild. Like I said earlier, the guild is not a platform for making money. It is an association to help actors and actresses. AGN is not a charity organisation. It is an association to provide health scheme for Nollywood members; an association to teach upcoming actors and actresses to be professional. It is an association set up to assist in structuring the industry. But that is not what we are seeing presently. We need change. We need good leaders in Nollywood not sycophants. We need someone that can build a better place for our future stars and that is where we are heading.

Putting the AGN and politicians aside, can you tell us a bit about your background?
I was born into a humble family in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State. I attended Community Central School, Eziokpo. I grew up under the guidance of my grandfather, who was my source of inspiration.

What date were you born?
I was born September 17. But I will not disclose the year to you because I am an old man. I was born on the orie day, meaning the fourth day in the week in Igbo Language.

Precisely how old are you?
I am above 50 years that is all I can say.

Are you married? If yes, can you tell us about your wife?
My wife is a beautiful woman. I met her on set when she came for audition on a particular movie. I have forgotten the name of the movie but it has been a long time. Immediately I set my eyes on her, I couldn’t control myself. Her beauty threw me off my feet. I was completely amazed that we can still see beautiful girls in Nigeria. I approached her immediately and told her I wanted to marry her. She refused at the initial stage but I persisted in proposing to her until she accepted to marry me. Today, she is my wife and I am so proud of her.

Do you have children?
Yes, I do. How old do you think I am? I am an old man. I have children but I will not disclose how many they are. They are grown-ups and independent. They are also proud of me because I have built a good background for them.

What makes John Okafor a responsible father despite your busy schedule?
Everything I do with my family, especially my children makes me a responsible father. Remember, I have lovely children and I always teach them the good values of life, love, trust, understanding dignity and the rest. I talk to them like adults so that they will not be misled. My children are fond of me and I respect that about them.

Why did you choose to become a comic actor?
This a personal question. I am an actor today because I am naturally funny. Even if you are angry, once you set your eyes on me, Mr Ibu, you will be forced to laugh. Then, if you are patient enough to watch me act, you must laugh. Listen, I am an entertainer. I am a dancer, I am an actor. Remember, this is the entertainment industry and any role you play will sell you. Your performance determines your pay. Your talent will sell you more if you are good. Either you are a comic actor or not. More important is the fact that movie directors should cast you in the right role.