Media personality Daddy Freeze has defended his decision to wear black to the service of songs held in honour of late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, saying the actor’s death was a tragic loss and not a moment he personally viewed as a celebration of a life fulfilled.
Daddy Freeze made the remarks during an Instagram Live session while responding to criticism that followed his appearance at the event alongside his wife.
The service of songs, held in Lagos on June 10, 2026, drew family members, friends, colleagues and admirers of the late actor, who gathered to pay their final respects. However, what should have remained a solemn occasion soon became a subject of debate on social media after Daddy Freeze and his wife arrived dressed in black despite an instruction on the invitation card asking guests to wear white.
The choice of outfit sparked reactions online, with many Nigerians accusing the broadcaster of ignoring the wishes of the bereaved family and disrespecting the occasion.
Responding to the backlash, Daddy Freeze admitted that wearing black was a mistake. However, he explained that he genuinely did not notice the section of the invitation that specified the dress code.
According to him, the information was written in a corner of the invitation card and escaped his attention.
“Yes, I was wrong to have gone with black, but I honestly did not see that part of the invite. My eyes did not go there,” he said.
While apologising to those who felt offended by his action, Daddy Freeze maintained that his choice of black reflected how deeply saddened he was by the actor’s death.
He said Alex Ekubo died too young and that it was difficult for him to view the situation as a celebration.
“I don’t see what they were rejoicing about. I don’t see what the concept was about. For me, it was sorrowful because somebody who was that young, at least compared to me, had died,” he said.
The media personality revealed that the late actor was close in age to members of his own family, making the loss even more painful for him to process.
“He did not meet me in secondary school. My mother’s youngest child is one year older than Alex. So, for me, he was not going to glory; he was a tragic loss until we were able to wrap our heads around that,” he said.
His comment that Alex Ekubo “was not going to glory” quickly attracted attention online, with some people accusing him of questioning Christian beliefs about death and eternal life.
However, Daddy Freeze clarified that he believes the actor had gone to a better place, but insisted that he struggled to accept that such a young man had died at this stage of his life.
“Yes, I agree that he has gone to a better place, but I just don’t agree that he needed to go now,” he said.
He also disagreed with people who attempted to comfort mourners by comparing Alex’s death with that of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe died at the age of 33.
According to Daddy Freeze, such comparisons do not take away the pain of losing someone with so much potential and many years seemingly ahead of him.
“Neither do I agree with the people saying Christ died at 33. What Christ achieved at 33, I’m sure Alex would have loved to stay longer to achieve that much. He had no business dying,” he stated.
He questioned the argument often made at funerals that the deceased had completed their assignment on earth.
“Do you believe Alex died empty? He has finished his work on earth? Do you believe that? Can we stop being sentimental and be honest?” he asked.
Daddy Freeze also said cultural differences may have contributed to the misunderstanding over the dress code.
According to him, where he comes from, black clothing is commonly associated with mourning and funerals. As a result, wearing white to a service of songs did not immediately make sense to him.
“I do not believe that service of songs has a dress code. They dragged me because the family said they should wear white and I wore black,” he said.
“The part of Nigeria that I come from, na black or traditional that they wear to funeral. I did not understand the white. I just thought that we were mourning.”
He added that he never intended to disrespect the family or draw attention away from the purpose of the gathering.
“I was not going for a party. In my own mind, white and service of songs did not go together. I’m very sorry if you feel offended,” he said.
The incident has reopened conversations about funeral traditions in Nigeria, where customs often differ across ethnic groups, religious denominations and families.
While many Christian families choose white attire during services of songs to symbolise hope, resurrection and the belief that the deceased has gone to rest with God, others prefer black clothing as an expression of grief and mourning.
The differing traditions have sometimes led to misunderstandings, particularly when guests are unfamiliar with the wishes of the family involved.
Alex Ekubo’s death shocked many Nigerians, especially members of the entertainment industry, where he had built a successful career as an actor, model and television personality.
Known for his charm and screen presence, the actor featured in numerous Nollywood productions and earned a large fan base over the years.
His passing triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and admirers, many of whom described him as talented, humble and full of life.
Although Daddy Freeze’s comments and choice of attire have generated mixed reactions, his explanation highlights the difficulty many people face in coming to terms with the sudden death of a younger person.
For him, the issue was never about defying the family’s wishes but about expressing genuine sorrow over a life he believed ended too soon.
Even as social media users continue to debate his remarks, Daddy Freeze has accepted responsibility for overlooking the dress code and offered an apology to anyone hurt by his actions.