Ossai Ovie Blasts Omoni Oboli Over Movie Announcement Tied To Alexx Ekubo's Burial

Senior Special Assistant on media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Ovie, has slammed Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli for announcing the release of her movie "The First Lady" in connection with the burial of late actor Alexx Ekubo.

In a post on his Facebook page, he accused the actress of using her colleague's death as a publicity stunt to gain subscribers and cash out under the pretence that proceeds would go to Ekubo's family. He described the move as disturbing, insisting that grief is not content and a funeral is not a launch event.

The media aide further argued that the "proceeds donation" narrative was a distraction from the real intent of subtly promoting her YouTube channel. He warned that more people might attempt similar moves, urging the public to call out such behaviour. Ossai emphasized that Alexx Ekubo deserves to be remembered for his life, work, and impact rather than being repackaged as a trailer for a movie, adding that if the goal was truly to honour him, the announcement could have waited.

He further called on Nigerians to protect the dignity of the dead and stop monetizing people's pain, stating firmly that he was disappointed in the actress.

He wrote: "I'm disappointed in Omoni Oboli for using Alexx Ekubo's burial to promote her movie and to cash out

I just watched her video where she announced she'll be releasing The First Lady, a film she said started their friendship 11–12 years ago.

Using someone's death as PR to gain subscribers is disturbing and to cash out under the pretentious "All Proceed from the movie goes to the family of Late Alex Ekubo." or to keep his memories alive is disappointing.

Watch out for more people on this pedestrian. I know the "proceeds donation" line will distract people from the real intent, but it's clear this is a way of leveraging people's emotions to subtly promote her YouTube channel.

Grief is not content. A funeral is not a launch event. Alexx Ekubo deserves to be remembered for his life, his work, and his impact not repackaged as a trailer for a movie.

If the goal was truly to honor him, the announcement could wait.

We have to start calling this out, tragedy should not be a content calendar event.

Let's protect the dignity of the dead, and stop monetizing people's pain.

I am disappointed." The Nigerian Voice reported that Alexx Ekubo gave up the ghost on May 11, at the age of 40, following a battle with cancer.

The actor's Service of Songs was held at the Monarch Event Centre in the Lekki area of Lagos State on June 10. The ceremony drew a mix of Nigeria’s entertainment and political elite. The atmosphere was charged with emotion as colleagues, friends, and fans came together to pay their final respects to the beloved actor.

Recall that following the arrival of the actor's body at his father’s compound at Arochukwu, Abia State on Wednesday, June 17, a wake-keep was organized in his memory, with Ini Edo, IK Ogbonna, Mike Godson, Omoni Oboli, Ayo Makun, amongst others in attendance.

Alexx Ekubo was finally laid to rest amidst tears on Thursday, June 18.