AMID final farewell to Nollywood actor, Alexx Ekubo, his teaming fans and supporters are excited the celebrity may not after all left this world without an heir, as his widow, Anwuli Amakom, may be expecting a child.
This development emerged during the actor’s wake-keep in Arochukwu, Abia State, where a prayer offered by a traditional ruler sparked widespread reactions, and of course, excitement, on social media.
A video from the event showed the convoy carrying Alexx’s remains making a stop at the palace of the Eze Aro of Arochukwu before proceeding to the burial venue.
During the prayers offered for the late actor, the monarch was heard expressing hope that Alexx’s lineage would continue, despite his passing.
Ostensibly referring to reports that his widow was pregnant, the monarch prayed that the unborn child would grow to surpass the achievements of his late father.
This singular remarks quickly attracted attention online, with many fans describing the development as a source of comfort in the midst of the grief over his death.
Several social media users have since expressed hope that the pregnancy report would prove true, optimistic it would preserve the legacy of the celebrity-actor.
Neither the Ekubo family nor Anwuli has publicly confirmed the pregnancy claim at press time. But that has not stopped the excitement among the fans of Alexx, whose death shocked them.
Alexx, who died on May 11, at 40, after a private battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer, was laid to rest on Thursday, June 18, at a funeral attended by family, friends and Nollywood stars.
The final burial rites began on June 17 when his remains arrived at the family residence in Ujari Village, Arochukwu, for a wake-keep, attended by relatives, community leaders and members of the entertainment industry.
It was a sombre scene, with mourners visibly emotional as traditional rites were performed in accordance with family customs.
The funeral activities started with a Service of Songs on June 10 at The Monarch Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos State, where colleagues, friends and well-wishers gathered to celebrate Alexx’s life and career, with outpouring of emotional tributes, prayers and reflections on his contributions to the film industry and humanitarian causes.
A funeral service was held at Mary Slessor School, Amanagwu Village, Arochukwu, before the actor was interred at his family compound.
A reception followed immediately after the burial service, drawing guests, who had travelled from different parts of the country to pay final respects to their buddy.
Videos and photographs from the burial showed emotional scenes as mourners bid farewell to one of the industry’s most recognisable faces.
Born on April 10, 1986, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Alexx rose to prominence after emerging first runner-up in the Mr. Nigeria competition in 2010, which opened doors to successful careers in modelling and acting.
Although he made his acting debut in 2005, his breakthrough came with his role in Weekend Getaway, which established him as one of the industry’s leading actors.
In the course of his career, he appeared in over 100 film productions and became known for his versatility across romantic dramas, comedies and contemporary African cinema.
His notable works include Weekend Getaway, Sugar Rush, Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, A Sunday Affair, Hire a Woman, Adanne and Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story, for which he earned an Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2024.
Beyond acting, Alexx was a philanthropist. In 2020, he was recognised among the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Top 100 Under 40, while his humanitarian efforts earned him several honours and commendations.
