This week, the entertainment industry was thrown into mourning following the death of one of Nollywood’s admired stars, Alex Ekubo, who died after a battle with kidney cancer.
Cancer, over the years, has continued to claim the lives of many, including those of talented entertainers. Sadly, the deadly disease is no respecter of the glitz and glamour of celebrity life.
Several Nollywood celebrities have lost their lives after courageous battles with different forms of cancer. In this article, we’ll be looking at some celebrities who died after a hard battle with cancer.
Alex Ekubo
Popular Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo reportedly passed away following complications from kidney cancer. According to his family, the actor succumbed to “advanced metastatic kidney cancer” after what they described as a brief but courageous battle.
Ekubo was celebrated for his roles in numerous Nollywood productions and remained one of the industry’s most admired actors.
Karibi Fubara
Nollywood actor Karibi Fubara died on December 15, 2021, after battling kidney cancer for over a year.
His death was announced by his sister, Aya Eneli, who described him as someone who “lived fully and with joy.”
Karibi gained recognition for his roles in movies and series such as Smart Money Woman, God Calling, Ratnik, and We Speak Dance. He married fashion entrepreneur Yolanda Okereke in 2019.
Ify Onwuemene
Veteran actress Ify Onwuemene, best known for her role in the sitcom Everyday People, died after battling endometrial cancer.
Her death was announced by actress Gloria Anozie-Young, who revealed that Onwuemene had undergone several chemotherapy sessions after doctors diagnosed her with stage 4 cancer.
According to Gloria, the actress had her womb removed but continued battling the ailment for years before her death.
Sadiq Daba
Nigerian broadcaster cum actor, Sadiq Daba announced he was diagnosed with Leukemia and Prostate cancer. He died on March 3rd at Ayinke General Hospital, Ikeja.
Doris Chima
Nollywood actress, Doris Chima, died after a battle with cancer in August 2021. The news of her death was confirmed by the Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, Emeka Rising Ibe.
Aisha Abimbola
Affectionately known as “Omoge Campus” following her breakout role, Aisha Abimbola was a shining light in the Yoruba movie industry. She was a talent who could command the screen with ease.
Her death in May 2018 came as a shock to many, as she had been receiving treatment for breast cancer in Canada away from the prying eyes of the media at the age of 46.
Her passing served as a sobering reminder to many young women in Nigeria about the importance of early detection and the relentless nature of the disease.
