A Nigerian man from Ujari village in the Arochukwu ancient kingdom has paid tribute to the late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, revealing that they are from the same ancestral home. Comr Pasona Stanley shared a throwback photo with the actor on Facebook on May 12, expressing his grief over Ekubo's death from liver cancer on May 11 at a Lagos hospital.
Meeting in 2020
Pasona recounted that when he first met Ekubo in 2020, the actor was overjoyed to encounter someone from his village while in the diaspora. Ekubo reportedly told him, "Blood is thicker than water" (Nwanne di n'amba), and they engaged in lengthy discussions about their cultural heritage, particularly the Arochukwu festival (Ikeja Aro).
Heart of Gold
Describing the late actor, Pasona said Ekubo was a jolly good fellow with a heart of gold. He admitted struggling to process the news, adding that life can sometimes feel unreal. "Rest in peace to a truly great soul. You came, you saw, and you conquered. We are proud of the life you lived, the journey you embraced, and the legacy you leave behind. Sleep well, my dear brother Alex," he wrote.
Public Reactions
The post drew emotional reactions from Nigerians. Akuabata Mikel Obi lamented the loss of many talented Nollywood actors, while Wilfred Njoku expressed sadness and prayed for Ekubo's soul. Oluchi Emmanuel offered condolences, and Prince Charles Lawrence criticized the display of fake love, questioning why people did not check on the actor while he was alive. Itz Excellent Micheal echoed similar sentiments, noting the absence of posts about Ekubo before his death.
Health Warning
In a related development, a doctor listed seven ways to protect oneself from liver cancer following Ekubo's death. The actor's last movie appearance also surfaced online, showing him arriving 30 minutes late to a set and apologizing playfully. Colleagues including Funke Akindele, Rita Dominic, and Mercy Johnson have mourned his passing.
