IK Ogbonna and Alex Ekubo. Credit: Bella Naija
Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has paid an emotional tribute to his late friend and colleague, Alex Ekubo, more than two months after the actor’s death, saying he still instinctively reaches for his phone to call him.
Ogbonna broke his silence in an Instagram post on Tuesday, describing Ekubo’s death as a loss that had changed his perspective on life and death.
“On May 11th, I lost my best friend and brother, Alexx. Nothing prepares you for a loss like that,” he wrote.
PUNCH Online reports that Ekubo died on May 12, 2026, after spending hours on life support.
His family said he died at Evercare Hospital in Lagos from complications arising from advanced metastatic kidney cancer.
Ogbonna said the reality of losing someone close could not be understood until it was experienced personally.
“You never truly understand the weight of death until it’s your own person inside that vehicle. Until the phone stops ringing forever. Until the chair beside you remains empty. Until the conversations you thought you had time to finish suddenly become memories,” he wrote.
Reflecting on the past two months, the actor said he had struggled to come to terms with the loss.
“That has been my reality. For the past two months, I’ve been trying to understand life. Trying to understand loss. Trying to understand God. Trying to understand why someone so full of life can suddenly become a memory,” he said.
Ogbonna recalled the dreams they shared, including plans to build businesses, make movies, travel the world and raise their families together.
“Alexx and I spoke about everything. We laughed about growing old. We dreamed about businesses. Movies we wanted to create. Places we wanted to travel.
“The lives we imagined for our children. Success. Legacy. Family. We truly believed we had time. Neither of us imagined one of us would leave first. Life had another plan. Or perhaps… God simply had a different plan,” he wrote.
He said faith had helped him find peace despite the unanswered questions surrounding his friend’s death.
“As painful as it is… I’ve found peace believing that God’s wisdom is greater than mine. There are questions my heart still asks that my mind cannot answer. But faith reminds me that not every answer is meant to be understood on this side of eternity,” he said.
Ogbonna described Ekubo as someone who genuinely impacted people’s lives.
“My greatest comfort is knowing that you truly lived. You didn’t merely exist. You loved. You gave. You laughed loudly. You showed up. You carried people. You believed in people.
“Maybe… that’s what a successful life really is. Not how much money we made. Not how many followers we had. Not how many awards sat on our shelves. But how many hearts became better because we existed,” he wrote.
The actor also reflected on how grief continues to affect him daily.
“There are still moments I instinctively reach for my phone, wanting to call you. Moments I hear something funny and think, ‘Alexx has to hear this.’ Then reality quietly reminds me. I can’t, and that pain never truly leaves. You simply learn to carry it differently,” he wrote.
He urged people to cherish their loved ones while they still have the opportunity.
“If there is one thing I hope you take away from this: Love people while they can still hear you. Tell them you appreciate them while they can still smile back. Forgive quickly. Call your parents. Check on your friends. Spend time with your family. Laugh more. Hold grudges less. Live intentionally,” he said.
Concluding the tribute, Ogbonna thanked Ekubo for their friendship and vowed to honour his memory.
“Alexx, my brother. Thank you. For every conversation. Every correction, every laugh, every disagreement that made us stronger. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for trusting me enough to call me your brother.
“It remains one of the greatest honours of my life.
“You may no longer walk beside me, but you will always walk within me. I promise to keep living. To keep building, to keep creating, to keep showing up, to keep chasing purpose, to leave this world better than I met it.
“Until we meet again, my brother. Rest well. I love you, always.”
Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.
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