Rangers International Football Club, alongside celebrities, top personalities, and fans, will honor the late Nollywood actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, with a novelty match on Tuesday. This event celebrates his remarkable comedy career and is part of his burial plans.
The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Rangers FC, will participate in the highly anticipated match amidst the euphoria of their recent victory. The match is organized by the Central Planning Committee for Mr. Ibu’s burial.
The Chairman of the committee, Monday Ani, stated that this match is a tribute to Mr. Ibu, highlighting that Rangers FC is the official club of the Enugu State Government. The event underscores the Enugu State government’s appreciation for the late actor.
The statement reads: “The Novelty Match is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25th, at the Cathedral of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu. The match will commence promptly at 4 PM. Sports lovers, friends, and well-wishers are encouraged to be part of this historic event.”
Ani expressed gratitude to Rangers FC General Manager Amobi Ezeaku and Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Lloyd Ekweremmadu for their support in organizing the match.
“Special thanks go to General Manager Amobi Ezeaku and Commissioner Lloyd Ekweremmadu for their remarkable efforts and time invested in planning this novelty match,” he said.
He also mentioned that donations for the funeral service are ongoing, and the committee appreciates the goodwill from all who wish to honor Mr. Ibu.
“A special thanks to everyone contributing their time, money, and effort towards the success of this event, especially the Best Family for donating a live cow. May your efforts be rewarded a thousandfold,” the statement concluded.
Mr. Ibu passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024. In October 2023, he was reported ill and in need of financial assistance. By November 2023, his family confirmed that one of his legs had been amputated to save his life due to an undetected infection in the arteries at his ankle, as revealed by his former manager Emeka Chochoo in an exclusive chat with PUNCH Online.
