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| Nollywood Actor, Alex Ekubo I |
Amid the solemn proceedings of the funeral rites for late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, reports have emerged suggesting that the late thespian’s wife may be expecting a child.
The revelation surfaced on Wednesday, June 17, during a traditional reception for the actor's remains in his hometown of Arochukwu, Abia State.
The convoy bearing Ekubo’s casket made a scheduled stop at the palace of the Eze Aro of Arochukwu. While delivering a traditional blessing and prayer in the Igbo language over the casket, the monarch intimated that the family is expecting an addition.
Praying for the preservation of the actor's lineage, the traditional ruler stated, “The child we hear she’s carrying will do exploits more than his father.”
The late actor's body arrived ahead of the wake and the official funeral scheduled for Thursday, June 18. The events have drawn a large gathering of family members, local residents, and prominent figures from the Nigerian film industry paying their final respects.
While video footage of the monarch's proclamation has circulated widely online, the Ekubo family has yet to issue an official statement confirming or denying the pregnancy claims.
Mixed Reactions From Netizens
The monarch's public disclosure has sparked a wave of conflicting reactions across social media platforms, with netizens divided over the breach of the family's privacy versus the comforting nature of the news.
Expressions of Joy and Hope: Many fans received the news as a silver lining amid the tragedy. A commenter, @folukemi, wrote: “I AM SO HAPPY about this news! Thank you God. I pray for his wife, she will deliver safely, the mighty hands of God will shield her and the growing baby.” Another user, @oduveronica, noted: “When I saw Omoni’s post that she said ‘joy is coming,’ I knew immediately.”
Concerns Over Privacy: Conversely, several netizens criticized the public announcement, arguing that such sensitive matters should remain confidential. User @tkspakles remarked: “Some things should remain private like Alex wanted it to be... This world is too deep.” Echoing the sentiment, @officialnorachy added: “This information should be private 😢, you see this world eeh even if you mind your business some people no go still mind their own.”
Anticipating Public Scrutiny: Others viewed the early disclosure as a preemptive shield against future paternity rumors. Netizen @derebenson commented: “It’s good that he said it; otherwise, some of you would still come out and say it’s not Alex’s child and that a DNA test is needed.”