Emeka Rollas, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has clarified the reasons behind the late comic actor John Okafor, widely known as Mr. Ibu, not being transported overseas for medical treatment during his illness.
During a recent interview, Emeka stated that Mr. Ibu had been turned down by hospitals in both the United States and India due to concerns that his medical condition would render him unfit to undertake a flight.
Mr. Ibu had appealed to the public for financial assistance as his illness progressed. His family revealed that he underwent seven surgeries, but ultimately, one of his legs had to be amputated to prolong his life. Despite plans to seek treatment abroad and the family’s intentions to fly him out, Mr. Ibu never made the journey.
Explaining the inability to travel, Rollas stated, “There was a time when we intended to send Mr. Ibu abroad for treatment. However, upon presenting the doctor’s assessment and prognosis, nearly all hospitals in India and America rejected the possibility, citing that individuals with such prognoses were unfit to endure the rigors of international travel.”