Nollywood’s biggest stars gathered in white to honor late actor Alexx Ekubo at his service of songs. Emotional tributes, shocking moments, and a message of unity emerged from the heartbreaking ceremony in Lagos.
When a room full of Nigeria’s toughest entertainers breaks down in tears, you know someone truly special is gone.
On June 10, 2026, The Monarch Event Centre in Lagos became something rare, a space where fame took a backseat to grief. Dressed in white, some of the biggest names in Nollywood, music, and media gathered to say a final farewell to Alexx Ekubo, the beloved 40-year-old actor who passed away on May 11 after a painful battle with kidney cancer. It was the kind of night that reminds everyone that life is fragile, and real friendship is everything.
Ekubo was the kind of actor you could never ignore, charming, effortless on screen, and genuinely warm off it. His death at 40 shocked many, and Wednesday’s service of songs opened his official burial rites. A wake-keep follows on June 17 in Abia State, where he will be laid to rest on June 18.
If attendance speaks, the crowd that night was deafening. Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Ini Edo, Toke Makinwa, Frank Edoho, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Annie Idibia, Ruth Kadiri, Chike, Cubana Chief Priest, and many more showed up.
Gospel ministers Mercy Chinwo, Nathaniel Bassey, and Peterson Okopi led worship that carried both grief and hope in equal measure. When Chi Nwe Ike filled the hall, videos of the moment spread across social media, with viewers describing the goosebumps of watching an entire industry surrender in song.
Shaffy Bello and the Grief No One Could Script
The night’s most viral moment was unplanned.
When a reporter approached actress Shaffy Bello for a comment, she walked away, visibly distressed, not interested in microphones or questions.
The footage spread fast and sparked real conversation about whether press intrusion belongs in spaces of mourning. There was no performance in her response. It was grief, raw and unfiltered.
Actress Bam Bam also had an unfortunate night, her phone was reportedly stolen at the venue, a jarring reminder that even in sacred spaces, life keeps happening.
IK Ogbonna’s Words That Will Stay With You
The most emotionally charged moment came from IK Ogbonna, Ekubo’s closest friend. He spoke about a man who, even while facing death, was still calling people, still encouraging others, still pointing friends toward God.
He described a friendship where disagreements were real but outnumbered by joy, and closed with a truth that landed hard: if we live long enough, we will all bury someone we were certain would outlive us.
As the service ended and attendees left The Monarch Event Centre, one thing was clear: Alexx Ekubo is gone, but he will never be forgotten.
His “Na Gode” performance still plays on screens. His movies still stream. His kindness still echoes in the hearts of those who knew him.
The Nigerian entertainment industry has lost a gem, but it has gained a story of resilience, grace, and unity that will inspire future generations.
May his soul rest in perfect peace. May his loved ones find comfort. And may we all remember that behind every celebrity name is a human being whose life, no matter how short, can leave an eternal mark.
