Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna has shared an emotional 27-page letter reflecting on his friendship with the late actor Alexx Ekubo, more than two months after his passing, revealing the depth of grief that has followed the loss of his closest friend and brother. 

Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, after battling stage four kidney cancer, and was laid to rest in Arochukwu, Abia State, on June 18.

In the tribute, Ogbonna opened up about the dreams the two friends had shared, including plans to make movies together and hopes for the lives their children would one day live side by side.

Ogbonna described the past two months as a period that forced him to confront questions about life, loss, and faith that he had never previously stopped to consider.

He recalled how death often feels distant until it touches someone close, comparing it to the way people glance at passing ambulances, whisper a quick prayer, and move on with their day, always assuming tragedy belongs to someone else.

Losing Ekubo, he said, taught him that tomorrow is a privilege rather than a guarantee, and that the only thing anyone truly owns is the present moment.

The actor admitted that grief still visits him in quiet, unexpected ways, recalling moments when something funny happens and his first instinct is to think Ekubo needs to hear it, before reality reminds him that such calls can no longer be made.

Despite the pain, Ogbonna said he has chosen to keep building, creating, and working, not because life has become easier, but because he now understands just how precious and fragile it truly is.

He used the tribute to urge others to live more intentionally, encouraging people to express love and appreciation to those around them while they still can.

Among his reflections, he called on people to forgive quickly, check on their friends, spend more time with family, and hold on to fewer grudges, closing with the reminder that everyone will one day become somebody’s memory, and that the real question is what kind of memory they choose to leave behind.

For years, Ogbonna, Ekubo, and fashion designer, Yomi Casual were regarded as one of the closest friendships in Nollywood, with their bond widely celebrated across the industry.

Ekubo’s passing drew an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans alike, with several top Nollywood stars, including Mike Godson, Omoni Oboli, Ini Edo, KCee, and Bimbo Ademoye, among many others who attended his emotional memorial service in Lagos.

Photo Credit: Instagram/Ik Ogbonna