Nollywood star Osita Iheme, famous for his ‘Pawpaw’ role alongside John Okafor, known as Mr. Ibu, shared encouraging words about his ailing colleague.
Iheme expressed his optimism in a recent chat with Hitz FM’s Doreen Avio at the AMAAs in Nigeria, about Mr. Ibu’s recovery as he undergoes treatment. He reminded everyone that sickness can affect anyone, at any time, emphasizing the importance of gratitude for life and health.
“Pawpaw” said: “Sickness is something that can come upon anybody. Anybody can fall sick at any time. We thank God for life and for keeping us alive.
“By God’s grace, he is receiving treatment right now, and he will be fine. I have been talking to him for a while now; the sickness is not just something that just started today. It has been long. We have been talking about it.”
This update comes after Mr. Ibu went public about his health issues on October 18, when he made an emotional appeal and launched a fundraiser to cover his medical expenses at a Lagos hospital.
Recall in a health update on Tuesday, it was revealed that the comedian is on the road to recovery after undergoing five significant surgeries. His family has expressed their immense gratitude for the support received during this challenging time.
Mr. Ibu’s family provided an update, stating, “So far, Daddy has undergone five successful surgeries, and he is still recovering in the ICU.
“Daddy is immensely grateful, and we are thankful to the general public during this phase of our lives. We appreciate all the donations made to this account, 1685687982, John I Okafor, Access Bank.
Thank you, and as soon as Daddy is better, he will personally acknowledge all donations! We are still counting on all your prayers and unwavering support as we pray that he gets stabilized quickly to enable us to fly him abroad for further advanced treatment. The John Okafor family is grateful to all Nigerians.”
This update follows Mr. Ibu’s public announcement about his illness on October 18, which prompted a passionate appeal for a fundraiser to cover his medical expenses at a Lagos hospital. He revealed that he had been hospitalized for two weeks due to a “strange and dangerous illness,” with the doctor mentioning the possibility of amputating his legs.
In a video from the hospital bed, Mr. Ibu, accompanied by his wife and daughter, pleaded, “As I speak to you, I am still lying down in the hospital; the medical director of this hospital said that the best solution is that, in case his new idea didn’t work, the best idea is to cut off my leg. Just see me; if they cut off my leg, where do I go from here? Please pray for me, talk to God Almighty, and I don’t want my legs to be cut off. Thank you so much. God bless you.”
After Mr. Ibu’s public plea, the Bukola Saraki Foundation stepped in and announced that it had covered his hospital bills up to October 18. However, this caused some confusion as supporters assumed all his accounts were settled. The foundation clarified that the actor still requires additional financial assistance to support his ongoing treatment in the present hospital where he is admitted.
He disclosed that he had been hospitalized for two weeks due to a severe and unusual illness. He even mentioned that his doctor had discussed the possibility of amputating his legs.
The Guardian
