Uche Jombo Mr Ibu Francis Odega memories reveal how the Nollywood legends’ spontaneous acting challenged her on set

Nollywood actress Uche Jombo has shared memorable experiences from working with late comic actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, and veteran performer Francis Odega, revealing that their unpredictable acting styles always demanded extra preparation.

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The actress reflected on their collaboration during an interview with Pulse, where she discussed one of their previous movie projects and the unique creativity the two actors brought to the set.

The experience, she explained, was unlike working with conventional performers because the actors often moved beyond the written script and created unexpected moments during filming.

Jombo said she was grateful that she had developed the ability to act spontaneously because Mr Ibu and Francis Odega frequently surprised her with improvised lines and actions.

“First of all, those two actors don’t follow the script. On this set, I was so happy I am a spontaneous actor because half of the time, they were throwing me off,” she said.

The actress explained that their ability to introduce new ideas during scenes meant fellow actors had to remain alert and adaptable.

“Like saying what was not written, and if you’re not prepared, you’ll be like, ‘Where are we? What are we doing?’” she added.

According to Jombo, anyone working alongside the two entertainers had to be ready for unexpected moments because their creativity could completely change the direction of a scene.

“If you’re working with Frank Odega and the late Mr Ibu, you’ll prepare yourself most times,” she said.

Mr Ibu, who passed away in 2024, was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most beloved comic actors, known for his expressive performances and distinctive humour.

Francis Odega has also remained a respected figure in Nollywood, recognised for his comic timing and memorable roles across Nigerian films.

Jombo’s comments highlight the influence of veteran actors who brought improvisation, originality and spontaneity to Nollywood productions, creating moments that often became memorable for audiences.

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The actress continues to be recognised as one of the industry’s accomplished performers, combining acting, directing and production throughout her career.

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