Cancer Society Mourns Alexx Ekubo, Calls for Action to Combat Cancer

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) has called for increased government intervention to tackle the growing cancer burden among adolescents and young adults in Nigeria.

The organisation joined other Nigerians in mourning the death of renowned Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo, who passed away at 40 after a battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

A statement signed by NCS National Director of Publicity Bashir Mohammed Ranccas urged well‑meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations, development partners, philanthropists, and government institutions to collaborate with the society in combating cancer.

It noted that Ekubo had been a committed voice for cancer awareness and had actively participated in campaigns that mobilised thousands of Nigerians to raise awareness and support patients.

Quoting an official statement shared on the actor’s Instagram page by his family, NCS said his passing was a painful reminder that cancer does not only affect older adults; it is increasingly impacting young people.

This underscores the urgent need for more research on cancers affecting young people in Nigeria, improved awareness, early detection, and timely access to treatment.

The Nigerian Cancer Society calls on well‑meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations, development partners, philanthropists, and government institutions to partner with us in creating awareness, implementing screening programmes, conducting research, supporting treatment, and advocating policy.

We also call on Nigerian youths to become more intentional about their health by embracing healthy lifestyles and avoiding harmful habits such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, unprotected sexual behaviour, sharing of sharp instruments, substance abuse, and screening for viruses linked to cancer such as Hepatitis B and C, Human Papilloma Virus, HIV, etc., which can increase long‑term health risks.

NCS said that through the Youth Coalition Against Cancer (YOCAC), the youth‑led arm of the Nigerian Cancer Society, it has been mobilising young people to become champions of prevention, awareness, and early detection of all types of cancers.