Nollywood star, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, has not lost his second leg to amputation.
Contrary to speculation, Valentine Okafor, the ailing actor’s son, clarified that it was the same leg that was amputated before that was affected because the first surgery could not fully address his father’s health challenge, which he identified as blood clot instead of the widely rumoured diabetes.
The younger Okafor further explained that his father had not been blown abroad for further medical treatment because doctors had not certified him fit to fly.
“We wish to Express our sincere gratitude to well meaning Nigerians and the general public for your immense contributions, physically, spiritually and most above all financially on getting our daddy Mr John Okafor (Mr Ibu) back on his feet again,” Vincent said in a statement he issued on behalf of the family.
“We wish to correct some misconceptions making rounds on social media concerning the current state of our father’s health.
“First we will like to state that our daddy wasn’t amputated on both legs but only one.
“The first amputation didn’t completely correct his health predicament so the doctors had to go ahead to amputate same leg further to ensure we didn’t loose him.
“Daddy’s cause of sickness is also not diabetes but he’s had constant clotting of the blood in his leg ( diseased blood vessels) and other health challenges posing risk to his life , therefore the need for the amputation.
“Lastly, the only reason why the family has not flown him out of the country till date is cause the doctors have tagged him “Not Fit to Fly.”
“This tag has made it extremely impossible to get him out of the country for advanced treatment as no airline will fly him.
“Daddy is currently admitted at one of the biggest and best hospital we’ve got in Nigeria as of today and the hospital has availed him a pool of very astute professionals.
“As Daddy is recuperating we urge his friends, colleagues, fans and Nigerians at large to keep him in thier prayers and peddle down on unconfirmed reports concerning our dad’s health.
“Thank you Nigerians you all have been very supportive this period. God bless you all.
Valatine Okafor on behalf of the family.”
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
