Celebrities Gather for Alex Ekubo's Service of Songs in Lagos

Popular actor Alex Ekubo’s journey home started in Lagos on Wednesday. Many entertainers came to his service of songs.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that the family shared burial plans for the actor. He passed away at 40 after fighting advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

His colleagues, friends, and notable guests filled The Monarch Event Centre for the service. They all wore white as the Ekubo family requested in the burial arrangements.

Attendees included Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Akpotha, Ebele Okaro, Nancy Isime, Ruth Kadiri, Nkechi Blessing, Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi, Ik Ogbonna, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, singer Chike, and socialite Cubana Chief Priest.

Other notable attendees were Nigeria’s former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili; Ini Edo; pastors Ituah Ighodalo and Jerry Eze; and Moses Bliss, among others.

Bliss, Peterson Okopi, Ebuka Songs, Nathaniel Bassey, Mercy Chinwo, and the Laud Urban Choir led worship and songs at the event.

Tributes

During the event, friends and family spoke about what they knew about the late actor.

Isime called him a kind and good man who lived for God. She said Ekubo treated everyone well, from his staff to new acquaintances.

“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,” Isime said.

Mrs Ezekwesili also spoke during the event. She said it is tough to lead songs for someone younger than her generation.

The 63-year-old added that there is little anyone can say to comfort the late actor’s mother, wife, or siblings.

“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.

“That’s the only thing that explains the kind of death that we’ve all come to honour the soul of the one who’s gone to be with the father. Nobody carried that child other than the mother. Nobody has the word for you,” she said.

The economic policy expert added that only God can give true comfort to the late actor’s family.

She mentioned that the actor achieved a lot in his career while staying true to his faith. His death at just 40 could only be linked to God’s sovereignty.

“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. And so those who truly follow the Lord, He sees them as 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,” Mrs Ezekwesili said.

“My Friend”

Ik, one of the late actor’s close friends, shared his feelings during the speech. He said he never thought a day would come when he wouldn't see Ekubo again.

Ik shared that Ekubo taught him many things, including how to get closer to God and do things properly.

“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. 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, but sometimes I’d try to explain to Alex how close I am to God and tell him God and I have a different kind of relationship, but the next day would come with the same advice. Alex always looked out for those he loved. He’d call me to go and get my visa, anything could come up with me, Mr Last Minute, I’d wait till the call came and then start looking for my visa,” he said.

The actor admitted that he still finds himself reaching for his phone to call Ekubo, hoping the call would connect.

He wishes for one more conversation, even though he knows it can never happen again.

Ogbonna also asked if he would ever truly get over this loss, saying the pain reminds him of life’s harsh realities.

Ekubo’s wake-keep will take place on the 17th at No. 7 Ekubo-Okwaraeke Avenue, Aziukwukwa, Ujari Village, Arochukwu, Abia State.

The actor will be buried in his hometown, Ujari Village, Abia State, on June 18.