You were my anchor when my mother died, Alex Ekubo’s wife pens tribute

June 22, 2026 10:33 am

You were my anchor when my mother died, Alex Ekubo’s wife pens tribute

Late Nollywood actor, Alexx Ekubo…Photo Credit: IG/ Alexx Ekubo

By  Samuel Omotere

A deeply emotional tribute has surfaced in the funeral pamphlet of actor Alexx Ekubo, where his wife, Anwuli Ekubo-Okwareke reflected on love, loss, faith, and the intimate memories they shared before his passing.

In the tribute, in a funeral pamphlet made available through Colors NG on Instagram during the funeral in Abia State from June 17 to June 18, she described Ekubo as her “sunshine” and “answered prayer,” recalling how their relationship evolved through years of shared experiences, family bonds, and spiritual growth.

She wrote that a simple childhood song they both shared, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,”became more than a tune, but a personal expression of their bond.

For her, the actor was not only a partner but a source of strength during one of her most difficult seasons.

Alexx Ekubo's funeral
Alexx Ekubo’s funeral service held in Abia State. Credit: arochukwu mouthpiece

“When my mother passed a year ago, you were my anchor. You held me together during a season where everything felt heavy. Your love gave me the strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other,” she wrote.

She admitted that even after his passing, she still struggles with the reality of his absence.

“I find myself reaching for you in a hundred different ways each day, only to remember I cannot. How do I live in a world where I won’t hear the random bursts of you calling out, ‘Pookstar’?”

The tribute also reflected on the private language and affection they shared, noting how their relationship was built on intimacy, humour and deep emotional connection.

“Before there was Pookie, before there was Pookstar, there was Asa, Asa Ikuku, one of the very first names you gave me, and then there was Nwa. The name somehow became home,” she wrote.

She added that over time, those names became part of her identity within his family, noting how even his younger relatives embraced the bond they shared.

Photo of Alexx Ekubo's funeral service held in Abia State on Thursday. Credit Arochukwu mouthpiece
Photo of Alexx Ekubo’s funeral service held in Abia State on Thursday. Credit: Arochukwu mouthpiece

She also reflected on how his love extended beyond their marriage, describing how she became deeply integrated into his family.

“Through you, they became my family too. You loved them fiercely, and I hope you know that I will always love them too. Dadaa, rest easy — I’ve got them.”

Recounting their shared humour and unique bond, she described a relationship filled with banter, particularly in Igbo, which she said created a private world only they understood.

“Some of my favourite memories are found in our banter in Igbo. We had our own language filled with slang, jokes, nicknames and expressions that made perfect sense to us and absolutely no sense to anyone else,” she wrote.

Alexx Ekubo's funeral
Alexx Ekubo’s funeral service held in Abia State. Credit: arochukwu mouthpiece

She further described Ekubo as someone who paid attention to the smallest details, saying his love was often expressed in quiet, thoughtful acts rather than grand gestures.

“If love could be measured in little things, you would be impossible to quantify. It was in the details you carefully recorded, the things people mentioned once and forgot.”

She added that she still treasures handwritten notes he left around their home.

“I treasure the notes you left for me around the house. I would find them tucked into drawers, on mirrors, beside my things—hidden in places only I would think to look. Little messages from my Dadaa to his Nwa.”

According to her, those notes remain among the most enduring symbols of his affection.

The tribute also highlighted their shared faith, describing their marriage as a spiritual journey anchored in prayer and trust in God.

“Our marriage was in so many ways a faith journey. We prayed together, trusted God and His promises together. No conversation was ever too ordinary for prayer,” she wrote.

She noted that Ekubo’s personal relationship with God deeply influenced her own faith.

“You spent your life trusting God. You pointed so many people back to Him, including me.”

Reflecting on his passing, she said the loss feels overwhelming, not only for her but for everyone who knew him.

“Dadaa, you mattered. To so many people, in so many ways. And that is why this loss feels so enormous.”

However, she expressed hope rooted in faith, believing he is at peace.

“But grief is not the end of your story. I know Heaven welcomed you with the same joy you brought to so many of us, and I know God’s beloved son has come home.”

She added that being his wife remained one of the greatest honours of her life.

“Being your wife was the greatest honour. I will always be grateful that, of all the people in the world, I was the one who got to share this life with you.”

She concluded the tribute with a message of enduring love, saying,”You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You are my Dadaa. You will always be my favourite human being. Forever your Nwa.”

PUNCH Online had reported that Ekubo passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the age of 40.

He died in Lagos following complications from advanced metastatic kidney cancer, his family announced in an official statement. The family described his fight with the illness as a “brief but courageous battle.”

Ekubo had been largely absent from the public eye and social media since late 2024, with the news of his illness coming as a shock to many fans and colleagues in the Nigerian film industry.

His remains were laid to rest in his hometown of Arochukwu, Abia State, in June 2026.

The actor, known for his roles in numerous Nollywood films and as a former Mr Nigeria runner-up, is survived by his wife Anwuli and other family members.

Samuel Omotere

Samuel Omotere is an experienced journalist covering human interest stories, pop culture, and digital trends. He combines his background as a language graduate with a focus on sustainable digital storytelling.

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