The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Mr Ossai Success, has defended Pastor Jerry Eze following widespread criticism and mockery on social media after the death of Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo.
The controversy started after an old photograph showing Pastor Jerry Eze praying for the late actor resurfaced online shortly after news of his death became public. Many social media users questioned the pastor’s healing ministry and mocked him for allegedly failing to heal the actor, who reportedly battled cancer for a long period before his death on Tuesday.
Reacting to the criticism, Ossai Success described the attacks against the popular cleric as unfair and disappointing. In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, the Delta governor’s aide said the fact that a person dies after receiving prayers does not mean miracles and divine healing are not real.
“I’m disappointed in those mocking Pastor Jerry Eze for praying for Alex Ekubo, just because he still died of cancer,” he wrote.
“Whether you like it or not, God is still in the business of healing and miracles.
“Don’t laugh your way to self-destruction.
“The fact that Alex was prayed for doesn’t mean he couldn’t die. God knows what is best.”
The comments have since generated mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians debating the role of faith, miracles and healing in modern Christianity.
Pastor Jerry Eze is one of Nigeria’s most popular Pentecostal pastors and the founder of Streams of Joy International. He became widely known across Africa and beyond through his online prayer platform known as the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations, popularly called NSPPD.
The prayer program, which streams live daily on social media, attracts millions of viewers from different parts of the world. Many followers of the ministry regularly share testimonies of healing, breakthroughs and answered prayers.
Over the years, Pastor Jerry Eze has built a strong following among Nigerians both at home and abroad. However, like many high-profile religious leaders, he has also faced criticism from sceptics who question claims of miracles and supernatural healing.
The debate intensified following the death of Alex Ekubo, who was one of Nollywood’s well-known actors. Ekubo gained fame through his roles in romantic and comedy movies and became a familiar face in the Nigerian entertainment industry for more than a decade.
Known for his calm personality and fashion style, the actor enjoyed a large fan base, especially among young Nigerians and movie lovers. His death shocked many fans and colleagues in Nollywood, with several actors and entertainers paying tribute to him on social media.
Although details surrounding his illness were not widely made public before his death, reports indicated that the actor had been battling cancer for some time.
His death has once again sparked conversations about health challenges, cancer awareness and the tendency of many Nigerians to seek spiritual help during serious illnesses.
In Nigeria, religion plays a major role in the lives of millions of people. Many citizens strongly believe in divine healing and often combine medical treatment with prayers and spiritual support during difficult health situations.
Because of this deep religious belief, prominent pastors and spiritual leaders frequently come under public scrutiny whenever people they prayed for later die or fail to recover from illness.
Some social media users argued that pastors should stop making public claims about miracles if they cannot prevent death or serious sickness. Others, however, defended Pastor Jerry Eze, insisting that prayer is based on faith and that death is ultimately beyond human control.
Supporters of the cleric also pointed out that many people seek prayers not only for healing but also for comfort, hope and emotional strength during difficult times.
Religious leaders across different Christian denominations have also repeatedly stated that faith does not always guarantee physical healing and that believers can still face sickness and death despite prayers.
The incident highlights the growing influence of social media in shaping public conversations around religion and celebrity culture in Nigeria. In recent years, pastors, politicians and entertainers have increasingly become targets of online criticism, especially during controversial events.
Several public figures have previously called for restraint and respect when discussing sensitive matters such as illness and death.
For many Nigerians, the death of Alex Ekubo remains a painful loss to the entertainment industry. Colleagues and fans continue to mourn the actor while remembering his contributions to Nollywood.
At the same time, the controversy surrounding Pastor Jerry Eze has reopened wider debates about faith healing, miracles and public expectations of religious leaders.
Despite the criticism, Pastor Jerry Eze has not publicly responded to those mocking him online as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, supporters of both the late actor and the cleric have urged Nigerians to show compassion and avoid turning a moment of mourning into a social media battle.
Many have also called for greater awareness about cancer and the importance of early medical treatment, noting that serious health conditions should not be ignored or hidden because of fear, stigma or public pressure.
As tributes continue to pour in for Alex Ekubo, the discussions surrounding his death reflect the strong connection between religion, entertainment and public opinion in Nigerian society.