Following the tragic passing of Nollywood actor, Alex Ekubo, after a long battle with liver cancer, famous Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun has expressed empathy for celebrities, who are dealing with personal health issues.
New Telegraph had earlier reported that the light hearted actor passed way on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the age of 40.
Reacting to his passing, AY Makun, who claimed to have been at the hospital, said that Ekubo was calm when he passed away and mentioned that the actor had not told his coworkers about his condition.
AY said the loss highlighted how many public figures managed serious health conditions, depression, loneliness, and family issues away from public view.
He wrote: “We lost Alexx Ekubo, a young man, a colleague, a brother, a talent, and someone many people only knew through the smile he gave the world.
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“Watching his lifeless body right in front of me, I can honestly say that even in death, he looked peaceful.
“He looked like someone who had carried pain quietly for too long and finally found rest.
“He never shared or disclosed issues concerning his health with any of us. And that is the part that should make all of us pause.”
“Behind the fine pictures, the red carpets, the movie premieres, the jokes, the smiles and the celebrity lifestyle, many public figures are fighting battles nobody can see.
“Some are fighting illness. Some people are struggling with depression. Some people are struggling with loneliness. Some are struggling with familial matters.
“Some are struggling with the pressure of being judged by people who do not know them personally.”
He gave the instances of gospel musician Sammie Okposo, who was under public scrutiny prior to his death, Chadwick Boseman, who passed away while fighting colon cancer, and UK broadcaster Caroline Flack, who died after receiving harsh internet criticism.
He maintained that stress and humiliation might deteriorate mental and physical health, and that internet trolling and rumors increased the emotional strain prominent personalities were under.
“Alexx reportedly fought stage four liver cancer. Chadwick Boseman gave the world Black Panther while privately battling colon cancer. Sammie Okposo faced public shame and personal battles before his sudden passing.
Caroline Flack became a global reminder of how public humiliation and online cruelty can break a human being. The painful truth is this: we do not always know what people are carrying”, he added.
AY urged people to refrain from spreading unconfirmed stories, mocking weight changes, or turning personal struggles into online content.
