A shockwave swept through Lagos as the entertainment industry, family, and faith leaders gathered for a deeply moving service of songs in honour of the beloved actor, Alexx Ekubo. For a generation of colleagues and fans balancing their careers with the realities of mortality, the sudden departure of the 40-year-old actor served as a stark, levelling reminder of life’s fragility.
The atmosphere was thick with a heavy reflection. Visibly anchored by the weight of the loss, prominent figures like Funke Akindele were spotted staring quietly at pictures of the late actor, entirely lost in deep reflection.
Lending a crucial balm and anchoring the entire evening, the service featured powerful, spirit-filled musical ministrations and sermons designed to carry the heavy-hearted through their grief. Popular pastors Ituah Ighodalo and Jerry Eze ministered at the event, offering profound words of comfort to the congregants.
Gospel heavyweights led the room in intense moments of worship, providing a divine sanctuary for the mourning audience. Nathaniel Bassey and Mercy Chinwo led intense praise and worship sets, while Peterson Okopi, Ebuka Songs, and Moses Bliss delivered deeply moving gospel melodies. Alongside them, the harmonious voices of the Loud Urban Choir lifted the spirit of the room.
The emotional peak of these ministrations came alive on social media; in several videos making the rounds online, the late Alexx Ekubo’s widow, Anwuli, appeared utterly inconsolable as gospel singer Kingsley Owoicho-Oche, popularly known as Kaestrings, performed a deeply soulful rendition of his hit song, Rahama. Together, these ministers offered essential songs of solace as the family and fans bid a final, earthly farewell to a screen icon.
The emotional weight of the night peaked when one of Ekubo’s closest friends, actor IK Ogbonna, stepped forward to deliver a devastatingly heartfelt tribute. Visibly shaken, Ogbonna put into words the painful reality confronting the grieving gathering, noting that “either our loved ones bury us or we bury them”.
Reflecting on their deep bond, Ogbonna shared that he never imagined a day would come when he wouldn’t see his friend again, revealing that Ekubo had taught him everything, including how to draw closer to God and do things at the right time.
“He would call me and advise me like I was his child, and I’d fight him for always talking to me like I was a child,” Ogbonna recalled. “I’d tell him we’re adults and that I’m not him, and that he should let me make my mistakes, but he never agreed. The next call would come with the same advice. That’s why we fought a lot. You always tell me ‘Ogbo, get closer to God’ … Alex always looked out for those he loved.”
The actor confessed that he still catches himself reaching for his phone to call Ekubo, hoping against hope that the call would somehow go through for just one more conversation. Questioning whether he would ever truly get over the loss, Ogbonna noted that the pain stands as a constant reminder of life’s harsh realities.
The devastating reality of the loss hung heavily over Ekubo’s immediate family, including his mother, brother, sisters, and his wife. Former Minister of Education, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, who served as a song leader, spoke directly to the agonizing nature of the tragedy, stating that nothing anyone says could comfort the late actor’s mother, wife, or siblings, and that only God can offer true comfort.
“It is very difficult to serve as a song leader for someone younger than her generation,” the 63-year-old Ezekwesili expressed. “Look at the wife, look at the sisters, the brother, the mom, especially with whom I spoke, and have anything meaningful to say. When deaths like this happen, the only thing that a child of God would be able to do is to remember the sovereignty of God.”
She further offered spiritual solace to the family by referencing holy scripture:
“The one that I want to tell you is that in Psalm 116, I think verse 15, He says, ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of the saints.’ When we think of all that has been spoken of your son today, of your husband, of your daughter, we call them saints… So precious in God’s sight is Alex. I think Isaiah 57:1 says ‘the righteous perish and no one knows.’ No one considers that God has taken them away from the evil that is to come.”
Colleagues took turns sharing their final words, with actress and media personality Nancy Isime delivering a poetic and moving tribute that celebrated Ekubo’s vibrant spirit, describing him as a kind, good man who lived for God and treated everyone well, including his domestic staff and people he had only just met.
“One thing Alex will always say is, ‘The eagle has landed.’ And today the eagle has ascended,” Isime said. “He had a strong heart for people, and this was clear. One thing he definitely did was live for himself, and he always did things his way. It gives me joy that he lived a life that felt good to him.”
The suddenness of Ekubo’s passing was further highlighted by Pastor Jerry Eze, who revealed how abruptly the actor was snatched away, sharing: “I was supposed to see him on Tuesday but he died on Monday.”
The intense grief of the evening left many attendees raw and defensive. Veteran actress Shaffy Bello, overwhelmed by the occasion, firmly shut down a reporter on the red carpet, shunning the interviewer with a sharp, “Don’t ask me questions,” before walking into the venue.
The event saw an immense turnout from the entertainment world and prominent societal figures. Celebrities in attendance included actresses Dayo Amusan, Omoni Oboli, Blessing Nze, Ruth Kadiri, Kate Henshaw, and Ini Edo, alongside actors Stan Nze, Kunle Remi, and Mike Godson.
Also present to pay their respects were comedian AY, Yomi Casual, Frank Edoho, Cubana Chief Priest, E-Money, and singer Chike, with the latter duo seen exchanging greetings with Pastor Jerry Eze. Amidst the heavy crowd, reality TV star BamBam reportedly lost her mobile phone during the event.
As the noise of the evening settled, the reality of the massive industry gathering prompted profound introspection among peers. Reflecting on the service after witnessing the collective grief of the entertainment world, actress Damilola Adegbite shared a moving message about what it truly means to leave a lasting legacy in an environment consumed by the daily grind.
“Yesterday I attended the service of songs for Alex, who passed away at the age of 40,” Adegbite shared. “It put everything into perspective. When we experience such a loss that shakes us deeply, it reminds us of how fragile life is. We are reminded of the vanity of so many of the things that we spend our lives chasing. We are reminded that our time here is not unlimited.”
She urged her peers to look past the relentless culture of acquiring and building, challenging the modern hustle with a call to leave a deeper imprint on the world.
“We spend so much of our time acquiring, chasing, building. And yes, I believe God wants us to enjoy the blessings He has given us in the land of the living… but I don’t think that’s all He put us here for. I believe God put us here to leave a mark. To leave a mark on the land, and to leave a mark on the hearts and lives of people. Impact comes in different forms. You can impact people through your job, through services, through your generosity, kindness, or simply through the way you show up in your relationships with people.”
As the industry faces the quiet weeks ahead without one of its most vibrant stars, Adegbite’s closing reflections remain the ultimate, haunting question for everyone left behind:
“What will people say about my life? So far, what will people say about me? How many lives have I added to? How many lives have I left a positive mark on so far?”