President Bola Tinubu on Sunday mourned the death of veteran Nollywood actors John Okafor popularly known as Mr Ibu and Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, popularly known as Sisi Quadri.
This is even as the two presidential candidates in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi penned emotional eulogies to the thespians.
President described the actors as geniuses who through their art brought joy and relief to millions of Nigerians.
He encouraged the bereaved to “take solace in the truth that even though these beloved Nigerians have passed on, they will always live through their works which will remain an inspiration and a fount of good cheer for many.”
He also commiserated with the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), and the entire creative community, assuring them of his support, thoughts, and prayers in this time of grief.
Similarly, Obi mourned the deaths of Sisi Quadri and Mr Ibu saying Nigerians will miss their talents.
READ ALSO: TAMPAN Has Officially Confirmed The Death of Sisi Quadri.
“I have just read the sad news of the death of a very talented Nollywood actor, Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, popularly known as Sisi Quadri. Just as I tweeted my condolence on the death of Nollywood actor Sisi Quadri, a lot of people, through my comments section, called my attention to the death of veteran Nollywood actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu.
On behalf of my family, I commiserate with his bereaved family, the Actors Guild of Nigeria, who just lost two legendary actors within a few days and the entire Nollywood family. We share the pains of his death, but are comforted by the cherished moments of joy and happiness he left behind. May God who called him home grant him eternal rest and grant his family, and all of us who mourn him, the fortitude to bear his sad irreplaceable loss. Rest in Peace Mr Ibu! He tweeted.
On his part, Atiku described Mr Ibu’s death as a big loss while noting that he will be sorely missed because he entertained people during his lifetime.
Posting on X, the former Vice President wrote: “The reported deaths of actor and comedian John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu and ex-goalkeeper of the Super Falcons, Bidemi Aluko Olaseni, is a big loss to our creative and sports industries.
READ ALSO: Mr Ibu is dead
“These two great Nigerians lived to give us happy moments in entertainment and the beautiful game. They will be sorely missed.
“I pray that the Almighty shall grant their souls a peaceful repose and comfort to the grieving families and the country. Rest in peace, Mr. Ibu. Rest in peace, Bidemi Olaseni” he wrote.
It would be recalled that Sisi Quadri died on Friday at the general hospital in Ogbomoso where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. His death coincides with the release date of his latest movie, Anikulapo: Rise of the Specter, where he played one of the three ghosts in the mystic epic series directed by Kunle Afolayan.
Mr Ibu died of cardiac arrest after he had a relapse about a week ago and was rushed to Evercare hospital in Lagos on Saturday.
