Singer Kingsley Okonkwo, popularly known as Kcee, has led tributes to Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, following his death at the age of 40 after a battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer.
Ekubo’s family confirmed that he passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Evercare Hospital in Lagos and requested privacy as they mourn the late actor.
In his tribute on Thursday through his Facebook account, Kcee said “we are all guilty,” noting that people are often “too good at eulogies… and too late with love,” as appreciation is frequently expressed only after death.
He questioned why people reserve their kind words for funerals, asking: “A lot of people have beautiful things to say about you, but they save it for your funeral.”
The singer further asked why people often remain silent when others are alive and struggling, saying: “Why do we clap for people at their graves, but stay silent when they’re struggling, building, doubting themselves right in front of us?”
According to him, appreciation and encouragement should be expressed while it still matters, adding: “Can we start telling people ‘I’m proud of you’ while they can still smile back?”
He urged more compassion and human connection in everyday life, saying, “Let’s be human to each other… let’s say the nice things now… because the best ‘RIP’ is a life well-loved before it ends.”
Kcee, who featured Alex Ekubo in his 2018 music video “Bullion Squad,” also used the moment to call for more intentional expression of care among loved ones.
“If this speaks to you, call someone today. Text them. Visit them. Tell them what you’ve been holding back. Speak life. Because one day, all we’ll have left are memories. Don’t wait for the funeral. Goodbye, Alex, sleep well,” he said.
Kcee’s tribute comes amid a wave of condolences from other colleagues in the industry.
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