The quiet town of Arochukwu in Abia State was steeped in grief as family, friends and colleagues gathered to bid farewell to Nollywood star Alex Ekubo, whose death from advanced metastatic kidney cancer cut short a celebrated life and career.

At the heart of the mourning was his mother, Evangelist Jane Mmerechi Ekubo-Okwaraeke, who poured out her anguish and pride in a deeply personal tribute printed in the funeral pamphlet. She described her son as her “joy and pride,” a man whose life was anchored in faith and service.

“I am still longing for your calls, chats, care, unconditional love, your gist, your encouragement, your advice, our corporate prayers, and our praise and worship sessions,” she wrote, capturing the raw emptiness left by his absence.

She called him an exceptional son whose judgment she never doubted, a priceless gift whose laughter and warmth lit up every room. For her, the pain of losing him is “beyond human understanding,” yet she clings to the memories of their shared moments and the impact he made on others.

Central to her tribute was Ekubo’s Christian faith. She recalled his gratitude for being introduced to Jesus, a decision he once described as the greatest gift his mother ever gave him. “Thank God your life on earth was dedicated to serving God, impacting lives, loving others, and spreading the Gospel,” she wrote, noting that he was “never ashamed of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In her recollection, Ekubo was not only a public figure but also a private encourager, often lifting her spirits with words of faith. He would remind her to be strong and to trust in God’s sovereignty, calling her a “great woman of God.”

She praised his resilience, humour, generosity and humility, drawing comfort from the tributes that have poured in since his passing. For her, his legacy is measured not in years but in impact: “What is 100 years in this world without impact? You lived a good life and left an unforgettable footprint in the hearts of all who knew you.”

In a final note of gratitude, she thanked his wife, Anwuli, for standing by him and the family. Her tribute ended on a note of hope, anchored in her belief that mother and son will be reunited “on the resurrection morning, when we shall part no more.”