Encomium
‘It’s sad but he spent his life well’ –FAMILY
Multiple award-winning music star, Innocent Idibia, famously known as 2Face is yet to recover from the death of his father, Michael Agbo Idibia, on Saturday, August 23, 2014, at an undisclosed hospital.
The news, ENCOMIUM Weekly learnt, came as a rude shock to the bubbling singer. 2Face has put on hold his social engagements in order to mourn his beloved father, who was said to have lost the battle to cancer at 68.
All efforts to speak with 2Baba, as 2Face is fondly called, proved abortive. He and his manager, Efe Omoregbe of Now Muzik, at separate times, didn’t pick their calls when ENCOMIUM Weekly tried to reach them on Sunday, August 24, 2014.
We later received an official statement from 2Face’s publicist, Bayo Omisore, which explained the position of the family on the demise of the older Idibia.
According to the release, “With sadness in our hearts, but with gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing on of our father, brother, uncle and in-law, Michael Agbo Idibia, a native of Okpokwu Idumoga in Benue State.
“Born on July 25, 1946, Mr. Idibia was an alumnus of Kansas State University, USA, and retired from the Ministry of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.
“Survived by wife, Mrs. Rose Owoyi Idibia, children: Steven Idibia, Innocent ‘2Face’ Idibia, Hyacinth Idibia and Oche Idibia, grand-children, and siblings.
“Burial arrangements will be announced by the family”.
Although, the family did not disclose the nature of Mr. Idibia’s sickness that claimed his life, sources said 2Face’s father died of prostate cancer. ENCOMIUM Weekly’s findings revealed that he was diagnosed of the male cancer few years ago; and had been receiving treatment, until Saturday, August 23, 2014, when complications occurred. He later lost the battle.
ENCOMIUM Weekly’s findings revealed that prostate, a small gland found only in men, is about the size of a walnut situated at the base of the bladder. It makes some of the semen which mixes with sperm come out of the penis.
Cancer of the prostate is a serious disease but often slow to develop. It only affects a small area of the prostate and grows so slowly it may never need treatment.
In younger men it can cause more symptoms and spread outside the prostate. An enlargement of the prostate (whether it is cancerous or benign) can cause problems with passing urine. It is the most common cancer amongst men.
It is rarely found in men under 45 and cases increase with age. Those with a family history of prostate cancer are at slightly higher risk, as are Afro-Caribbean and African-American men.
Meanwhile, fans of the popular superstar have not ceased sending condolences to the Idibias over the loss. They took to their respective social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to show their love for 2Face.
Joy said, “Prostate Cancer (PC) is a b***h!!! It’s a terrible disease. My heart goes out to 2Face and his family. Lost my dad to PC last year.”
Sweet Mary posted, “RIP Papa Idibia. May God comfort the people you left behind.”
According to Juliet Oranagwa, “It’s so sad. Eternal rest grant onto him o Lord and may the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.”
For Rosemary Chidi, it’s “Eyah! May his soul rest in perfect peace and may God grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.”Faith said, “Chai, may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. 2 Baba, please take heart, na so the world dey,” among others.
– RASHEED ABUBAKAR
