AROCHUKWU, Abia State — Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo has been laid to rest in his hometown of Arochukwu, Abia State, on Thursday, June 18, following his death on May 11 at the age of 40 after a battle with metastatic kidney cancer.
The funeral service was held at Mary Slessor School Field in Amanagwu Village, where family members, friends, and colleagues gathered to pay their final respects. His body arrived in Arochukwu in a convoy and made a brief stop at the palace of the Eze Arochukwu before being moved to his family compound in Ujari Village, where he was interred.
The burial attracted a large turnout of mourners, including notable Nollywood personalities such as IK Ogbonna, Ini Edo, Omoni Oboli, AY Makun, Mike Godson, Nancy Isime, Bimbo Ademoye, and businessman Obi Cubana. Mourners wore T-shirts bearing Ekubo’s face, while others held his photographs as they paid their last respects.
The ceremony featured an all-white theme, interpreted by many as a symbol of peace and celebration of life. Music and dance formed a significant part of the wake, with cultural performances honouring his memory and reflecting Igbo traditions of celebrating life even in moments of grief.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti was represented at the funeral by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, who described Ekubo’s death as a huge loss to Abia State, the Nigerian entertainment industry, and fans worldwide. He noted that the late actor was “not just an entertainer but also a cultural ambassador who showcased Abia State and Nigeria positively on the global stage.”
Ekubo died on May 11 at Evercare Hospital in Lagos from complications arising from advanced metastatic kidney cancer. His family confirmed that he had battled the illness privately while continuing to reassure friends and colleagues that he was fine. His last Instagram post dated back to December 30, 2024, and his prolonged silence on social media had unsettled those close to him.
A service of songs was held in his honor on June 10 in Lagos, followed by a wake-keep at his family residence in Arochukwu on June 17. Ekubo, born on April 10, 1986, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, studied Law at the University of Calabar before pursuing an acting career that spanned more than a decade. He is survived by his wife, parents, and siblings.
