Actor Uzor Arukwe has paid tribute to his late colleague Alex Ekubo, explaining his initial silence after the actor’s death.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Arukwe said he had been quiet because he did not know what to say.

He noted that some losses do not meet you online first; they sit with you quietly, making you hope there has been a mistake.

Arukwe recalled meeting Ekubo, who died on May 11, 2026, following a battle with metastatic kidney cancer, on Dabby Chimere’s set.

He described Ekubo as warm, accommodating, and every bit the gentleman people have said he was.

The actor said listening to stories from those who knew Ekubo better humbled him.

According to him, it reminded him that people are remembered not only for talent or achievements but also for kindness, how they treated others, and their spirit.

He explained that silence was his first response because grief also comes with silence.

Arukwe wrote, “I’ve been quiet. And I know some people wondered why I didn’t post, why I didn’t say anything, why there were no pictures, no captions, no public display of grief.

“The truth is, I didn’t know what to say. Some losses don’t meet you online first; they sit with you quietly. They make you shake your head and say, “Mba… not this person. Not Alex.” You replay the memories and hope someone will call to say there has been a mistake.

“I met Alex Ikenna Ekubo on Dabby Chimere’s set. From day one, he was warm, accommodating, and every bit the gentleman people have described him to be. No noise. No airs. Just a genuinely good man.

“Listening to the stories from those who knew him better, I found myself humbled. It reminded me that at the end of it all, people won’t only remember our talent or our achievements. They will remember our kindness. They will remember how we treated people. They will remember our spirit.

“So silence was my first response to the news of your death because grief comes with silence too. Not every goodbye needs a post. Some are carried in prayer. Some are carried in memories. Some are carried in the heart.

“Alex… Ikuku. Daalụ. For your warmth. For your grace. For the example you left behind. Nọdụ n’udo. We’ll hold the fort on this side until we meet again. Journey well, ezigbo nwoke”. (The Nation)