The ancient town of Arochukwu in Abia State was enveloped in a mixture of deep grief and cultural celebration as the remains of beloved Nollywood actor, model, and youth advocate, Alexx Ekubo, were laid to rest.
The emotional homecoming brought together grieving family members, Abia State government officials, captains of industry, and a massive delegation from the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The multi-award-winning screen icon—born Alex Ikenna Ekubo-Okwaraeke and fondly called "Chief Ikuku" by fans and colleagues—passed away tragically on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40 following a private, courageous battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer.
The final phase of his week-long funeral rites commenced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, with a deeply moving candlelight procession and wake-keep hosted at his family compound at 7 Ekubo-Okwaraeke Avenue, Aziukwukwa, in Ujari Village, Arochukwu.
In accordance with the wishes of the Ekubo-Okwaraeke family, the funeral ceremony featured a striking all-white theme. Attendees, floral arrangements, venue decorations, and even the casket reflected the color white, chosen to symbolize a vibrant, impactful life beautifully lived.
The burial drew an extensive crowd of high-profile entertainment stakeholders and close associates who traveled across the country to pay their last respects. Among the star-studded delegation were his closest industry friends, IK Ogbonna and Yomi Casual, alongside:
Ini Edo
Nancy Isime
Bimbo Ademoye
Omoni Oboli
Mike Godson
Ayo Makun (AY)
Business mogul Obi Cubana
During the emotional wake-keep, a heartbreaking tribute was delivered by Ekubo’s longtime personal bodyguard, popularly known as "Commando." He openly wept as he described the late actor not merely as an employer, but as a protective older brother, a mentor, and a father figure who consistently looked out for his welfare.
On the morning of Thursday, June 18, 2026, an open-air funeral service was conducted at the Mary Slessor School Field in Amanagwu Village, Arochukwu.
The multi-award-winning screen icon—born Alex Ikenna Ekubo-Okwaraeke and fondly called "Chief Ikuku" by fans and colleagues—passed away tragically on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40 following a private, courageous battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer.
The final phase of his week-long funeral rites commenced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, with a deeply moving candlelight procession and wake-keep hosted at his family compound at 7 Ekubo-Okwaraeke Avenue, Aziukwukwa, in Ujari Village, Arochukwu.
In accordance with the wishes of the Ekubo-Okwaraeke family, the funeral ceremony featured a striking all-white theme. Attendees, floral arrangements, venue decorations, and even the casket reflected the color white, chosen to symbolize a vibrant, impactful life beautifully lived.
The burial drew an extensive crowd of high-profile entertainment stakeholders and close associates who traveled across the country to pay their last respects. Among the star-studded delegation were his closest industry friends, IK Ogbonna and Yomi Casual, alongside:
Ini Edo
Nancy Isime
Bimbo Ademoye
Omoni Oboli
Mike Godson
Ayo Makun (AY)
Business mogul Obi Cubana
During the emotional wake-keep, a heartbreaking tribute was delivered by Ekubo’s longtime personal bodyguard, popularly known as "Commando." He openly wept as he described the late actor not merely as an employer, but as a protective older brother, a mentor, and a father figure who consistently looked out for his welfare.
On the morning of Thursday, June 18, 2026, an open-air funeral service was conducted at the Mary Slessor School Field in Amanagwu Village, Arochukwu.
Delivering the sermon, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze of Streams of Joy International urged mourners to look past the brevity of the actor's life and instead focus on the weight of his legacy, reminding the audience that a truly meaningful life is measured by its positive impact on others.
Representing Abia State Governor Alex Otti at the event, the Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, officially declared Ekubo’s passing a monumental loss to the state and the nation.
"Today, we mourn not merely an actor, brother, and friend, but a creative force, a cultural ambassador, and a proud son of Arochukwu whose talent brought honor to Abia State and Nigeria," Ajagba stated, noting that the actor perfectly embodied the resilience and artistic spirit of Abia’s youth.
Before transitioning into full-time acting and modeling, Alexx Ekubo attended Federal Government College Daura in Katsina State before earning a Law degree from the University of Calabar. While he chose the camera over the bar, he consistently utilized his platform for extensive humanitarian outreach programs and youth advocacy initiatives across West Africa.
Following the church service, the funeral procession returned to the privacy of the family compound, where his remains were lowered six feet underground. In a deeply emotional final act of respect, his widow, Anwuli Amakom, performed the traditional dust-to-dust rites, signaling a final, solemn goodbye to one of African cinema's most versatile and beloved storytellers.
Representing Abia State Governor Alex Otti at the event, the Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, officially declared Ekubo’s passing a monumental loss to the state and the nation.
"Today, we mourn not merely an actor, brother, and friend, but a creative force, a cultural ambassador, and a proud son of Arochukwu whose talent brought honor to Abia State and Nigeria," Ajagba stated, noting that the actor perfectly embodied the resilience and artistic spirit of Abia’s youth.
Before transitioning into full-time acting and modeling, Alexx Ekubo attended Federal Government College Daura in Katsina State before earning a Law degree from the University of Calabar. While he chose the camera over the bar, he consistently utilized his platform for extensive humanitarian outreach programs and youth advocacy initiatives across West Africa.
Following the church service, the funeral procession returned to the privacy of the family compound, where his remains were lowered six feet underground. In a deeply emotional final act of respect, his widow, Anwuli Amakom, performed the traditional dust-to-dust rites, signaling a final, solemn goodbye to one of African cinema's most versatile and beloved storytellers.
Disclaimer: Comments and opinions on any part of this website are the opinions of blog commenters or anonymous individuals, and do not reflect Strenuous Blog position.