Prince Agbor Gilbert Ebot, founder of the Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF), has paid an emotional tribute to late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, recalling their shared dream of elevating African cinema.
In a moving statement, Ebot recalled their time together in Calabar in 2013, when they discussed launching a film festival in Cameroon. A decade later, Ekubo stood with him at the 2024 edition of CAMIFF, celebrating the vision now realised.
“Alex Ekubo said to me, ‘I am proud of you, my friend, my brother. You are a great man. Your dedication to promoting the Cameroon Film Industry will pay off,” Ebot wrote.
Ebot confessed that he once felt like giving up, but Ekubo’s encouragement, along with that of veteran filmmaker Bassek Ba Kobhio, kept him going. “The world sees the success, but I saw the sacrifice and the pain,” he said.
Reflecting on the fragility of life, Ebot added, “This vanity means nothing when, in just 72 hours, a voice can go silent. My heart is heavy. I will miss you deeply.”
Ekubo passed away on May 12, 2026, at age 40. His legacy now echoes across both Nollywood and the Cameroonian film community he so passionately supported.
