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  • Alexx Ekubo: Everything To Know About The Late Nollywood Star Who Rose From Mr Nigeria To Movie Fame

    Popular Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo was one of the most recognisable faces in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, known for his performances in movies, television productions, comedy skits and humanitarian activities.

    The actor reportedly died at the age of 40 after an alleged battle with stage 4 liver cancer, a development that has left many fans and colleagues in shock.

    Early Life And Background

    Alexx Ekubo was born on April 10, 1986, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but hailed from Arochukwu in Abia State.

    Known for his tall frame and charismatic personality, he was fluent in English, Igbo and Hausa languages.

    Before his rise to fame in Nollywood, he gained public attention after emerging first runner-up at the Mr Nigeria competition in 2010, a breakthrough that opened doors for him in the entertainment industry.

    Education Journey

    The late actor attended Federal Government College, Daura, in Katsina State for his secondary school education.

    He later studied Law at the University of Calabar before eventually obtaining a degree in Mass Communication from Calabar Polytechnic.

    Rise In Nollywood

    Alexx Ekubo began acting professionally in the early 2010s and quickly became one of the most sought-after actors in Nollywood.

    His charming screen presence and versatility helped him land roles in several successful movies and television productions.

    Some of the popular movies he featured in include:

    • Lagos Cougars
    • Weekend Getaway
    • In The Cupboard
    • Dream Walker
    • Blazing Heart
    • The First Lady
    • Hire A Woman
    • Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons
    • Sugar Rush
    • Fate of Alakada

    Aside from acting, he also built a strong reputation as a television personality, event host, model and brand ambassador.

    Humanitarian Activities And Recognition

    Beyond entertainment, Alexx Ekubo was actively involved in charity and humanitarian causes.

    In 2020, he was inducted into the Most Influential People of African Descent/United Nations Top 100 Under 40 Hall of Fame in recognition of his impact and achievements.

    He also received a Certificate of Excellence from Sapio Club SDG for his contributions to African entertainment and humanitarian service.

    In 2021, he was honoured with the Nigerian National Award of Excellence as the Global Social Giving Actor of the Year.

    That same year, he received an honorary doctorate degree in Arts and Culture from Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion University in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

    Awards And Achievements

    Over the years, the actor received several local and international recognitions for his contributions to Nollywood.

    Some of his awards include:

    • BEFFTA Award (London) – Nollywood Rising Star (2014)
    • Screen Nation Film and TV Award – Favourite Male African International Emerging Screen Talent (2014)
    • Nigerian Teen Choice Award – Outstanding TV Personality (2015)
    • Best of Nollywood Award – Best Actor of the Year (2016)
    • Nigerian Model Achievers Award – Model Actor of the Year (2016)
    • Special Recognition Award from the First Lady of Nigeria (2018)
    • Best of Nollywood Award – Best Lead Actor (2022)
    • Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival – Best Actor of the Year (2022)
    • Rotary International District 9142 – Rotary Youth Ambassador of the Year (2023)

    Private Life Away From The Spotlight

    Despite his celebrity status, Alexx Ekubo largely kept his personal life away from public scrutiny.

    He remained active in entertainment, social events, endorsements and philanthropic projects while maintaining a relatively private lifestyle outside the spotlight.

    His reported passing has continued to generate tributes across Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with fans and colleagues reflecting on his legacy and impact on Nollywood.

  • What You Should Know About Taiwo Oyedele, Tinubu’s New Finance Minister

    President Bola Ahmed Tinub has appointed Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, placing a long-time tax reform advocate at the centre of Nigeria’s economic management.

    The appointment, confirmed in a memo signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, follows the exit of Wale Edun, with a handover deadline set for April 23.

    Rise from modest beginnings

    Taiwo Oyedele was born in 1975 in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, into a modest family background that he has often described as financially strained.

    He has spoken about experiencing poverty early in life, noting that his father’s generosity to others left the household struggling. One story he frequently recounts is how he nearly missed entry into primary school due to age restrictions, gaining admission only after an unusual test alongside his twin sister.

    Those early experiences, he has said, shaped his outlook on public service and economic reform.

    Academic and professional grounding

    Oyedele studied accountancy and finance at Yaba College of Technology before earning a BSc in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University.

    He also attended executive programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, Harvard Kennedy School, and the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

    Beyond policy work, he is a professor at Babcock University and has served as a visiting scholar at Lagos Business School.

    Career at PwC and continental influence

    His professional journey began at PwC Nigeria during his NYSC year in 2001.

    From there, he rose through the ranks to become West Africa Tax Leader and eventually Africa Tax Leader, overseeing tax operations across more than 30 countries.

    During this period, he built a reputation for simplifying complex tax systems and advocating for transparency and stronger fiscal governance across African economies.

    Architect of Nigeria’s tax reforms

    Before joining the federal cabinet, Oyedele chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

    In that role, he led efforts to restructure Nigeria’s tax system, focusing on improving compliance, boosting government revenue, and reducing inefficiencies.

    His work positioned him as one of the key figures behind the country’s recent fiscal reform drive.

    Personal risks and public service

    Oyedele has also spoken openly about the personal cost of pushing reforms.

    He revealed that he received death threats linked to his work, forcing him to relocate his family to a secure location under police protection.

    “My family got a death threat… I had to pack out of my house,” he said, adding that the experience deeply affected his wife and elderly mother.

    Despite the risks, he has maintained that his motivation for public service is impact rather than personal gain.

    New role, rising expectations

    With his elevation from Minister of State for Finance to substantive minister, Oyedele is now expected to lead Nigeria’s economic strategy at a critical time.

    His background in tax policy and fiscal reform is seen as central to ongoing efforts to stabilise the economy, improve revenue generation, and drive long-term growth.

    As his tenure begins, his profile continues to draw attention in latest Nigerian news and breaking news Nigeria today, with stakeholders watching how his ideas translate into policy outcomes.