Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info (Editor)
Published on 2024-03-04 18:29:23
By Washira Helene
The sudden passing of the renowned Nollywood actor John Okafor, known affectionately as Mr. Ibu, has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding the management of his TikTok account.
Mr. Ibu passed away from cardiac arrest at a hospital in Lagos on Saturday evening after a battle with illness that spanned several months.
The iconic comic actor had undergone a leg amputation months prior and seemed to be on the road to recovery. His death came as a shock to his colleagues in Nollywood and fans across Africa and the world.
Shortly after news of Mr. Ibu’s death broke, his adopted daughter, Jasmine Okafor, made significant changes to his TikTok account, leading to public outcry and accusations of exploiting her late father’s digital legacy.
The TikTok account, previously known as “@realmribu” with over 1.1 million followers, underwent a swift transformation as Jasmine changed the name to “@LadyJasminec_live” and began featuring primarily her own videos.
This quick action has incited strong reactions from Mr. Ibu’s fans, who criticize Jasmine for what they view as disrespecting her father’s memory and using his online presence for personal gain.
Despite the backlash on social media, Jasmine has chosen to remain silent on the matter.
This controversy has sparked discussions about digital legacy and the ethical considerations surrounding the management of social media accounts after the death of a loved one.
It has also ignited debates about proper etiquette for mourning, with many asserting that this is not the appropriate time for self-promotion.
Comments on social media platforms have expressed disappointment in Jasmine’s actions.
“It’s important to mourn with respect and dignity. This is not the time for self-promotion,” wrote Joshua on Facebook.
Many social media users have echoed these sentiments, labeling the move as “insensitive” and “disgraceful.”
Some have even raised questions about whether Jasmine had the proper authorization to make changes to the account.
“This girl is evil. I’ve never liked her. Now she has shown her true colors. At this rate, she might even claim his properties,” reacted Jessica on Twitter.
“This girl is an opportunist. Look how quickly she is taking control of Mr. Ibu’s things. What a shame!” added FruDenis.
Jasmine is said to be the one who initially created Mr. Ibu’s TikTok account and has been managing it since. As his adopted child, she has faced accusations of causing problems in his life rather than being a blessing, including allegations of mismanagement of funds raised for his surgery and even accusations of illicit relations with him.
Jasmine has refuted these claims on several occasions, denying any intimate involvement with him or mishandling of funds meant for his care.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
