‘He came, saw, left indelible impression,’ Pete Edochie pays emotional tribute to Alexx Ekubo
The veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has paid tribute to Alexx Ekubo following the actor’s death on May 11.
Ekubo reportedly died at the age of 40 after battling stage 4 kidney cancer for an extended period.
In an Instagram video shared after Ekubo’s burial last week at his grandfather’s compound in Abia State, Edochie reflected on three memorable encounters he had with the late actor, describing him as “a man of honour” who made a lasting impact on everyone around him.
“All the world is a stage, and all the men and women are the players. They have their exits, they have their entrances,” he said.
“Finally, my son, Alex Akubo, has been laid to rest. May the good Lord accept his gentle soul and grant him eternal rest.”
Edochie recalled their first meeting, saying Ekubo visited him at a hotel with a cow and traditional drummers to personally invite him to a movie premiere he co-produced with his friend Stan Nze.
The veteran actor said he was escorted to the red carpet by masquerades, describing it as “the biggest welcome I had received in Lagos. I am never, ever likely to forget it”.
“I met Alexx three times. On the first occasion, he came with a cow and a set of organic drummers to my hotel to invite me to the premiere of a film he had done with his friend Stan Nze,” he said.
“I got there and I was ushered into the arena onto the red carpet by masquerades. It was the biggest welcome I had received in Lagos. I am never, ever likely to forget it.
“On the second occasion, again, he came to my hotel, another hotel, cooked sumptuously, and came with all his siblings to come and welcome me.
“On the third occasion, he came to visit me in another hotel. He brought me fruits. Then he put one kolanut in a saucer, wedged the kola with a hundred thousand, and requested I pray for him.”
Edochie also revealed that he later learned Ekubo had been making plans for a grand celebration ahead of his 80th birthday next year.
“I was told it was planning big for my 80th birthday, when, by the grace of God, it would be next year. It is gone now,” he added.
“Alexx was a man of honour. I want to specially thank IK Ogbonna. He proved himself a friend both in life and in death. I want to see this occasion to console the family of Alexx Ekubo. Alexx came, he saw, and he left an indelible impression.”
Earlier on Thursday, David Ekubo, speaking on behalf of the family, raised concerns over how the actor’s death and burial were handled.
The family alleged that they were not fully informed about crucial details surrounding his passing.