HOW AKWA IBOM POPULAR MUSICIAN MISH DIED IN ABUJA

By Edoamaowo Udeme

Michael Aniekeme Meshach popularly known as Mish died in a private Hospital in Maitama Abuja.

The news of Mish demise was first seen online on February 15 2024 two days after he was confirmed dead.

Investigation reveals that the late singer’s primary cause of death according to medical report was Superior Mesenteric Artery Thrombosis with Intestinal Obstruction and small Bowel Necrosis.

While the above mentioned medical condition was identified as the primary cause of Mish death, other factors that compounded the late musicians health condition also included

Cardiopulmonary Arrest and he had also undergone surgery prior.

A source who pleaded for anonymity at the private Hospital in Maitama where the late singer died, claimed that death occurred after several deliberate medical attempts to restore him to life have failed.

Mish rose to fame and prominence in 2011 with his hit song Akwa Ibom Ayaya (I Want To Go Home), which quickly gained popularity and became a viral sensation on social media and became household music endorsed by many Nigerians within the country and those in Diaspora, most especially the Akwa lbomites.

With his death, the late musician has left a profound marks on the sand of time as well as in the Nigeria’s music scene. The song ‘”Akwa Ibom Ayaya, I want to go home” became evergreen in minds and hearts of all Akwa lbomites, as it has led to the promotion of Akwa Ibom culture and heritage, food among others and has transcend borders becoming one of Nigeria’s biggest songs and charted internationally.

For almost 10 years after its release, the song continues to enjoy widespread airplay across the national and international boundary and brought various goodwill messages to Akwa Ibom State.

Shortly after this song in 2011, not too much was heard about this multi-talented singer, while many had speculated his extinct from music sector Mish, who held a degree in Computer Science from University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State also released other musical albums such as ‘Made in Nigeria‘, ‘Nigeria My Country‘, as well as ‘Plantain Boy‘ just to mention but a few, though none, was as popular as Akwa Ibom Ayaya.

Misheal was also said to have established the group named after himself, the Mish Foundation. The purpose of his foundation according to his friends was to assist the lowly and the downtrodden youths from Akwa Ibom State with little or no means to access formal education.

One of his friends and close associate who pleaded that his name should not be in print told this medium that the late singer had several dreams to fulfill before the cold hands of death visited him.

According to him, Mish had dedicated his efforts to provide education to society and worked for the society to empowering youths.

While he was alive, he was actively engaged in diverse campaigns and initiatives, including the the Peace Concert, Akwa Ibom Talent Showcase as well as the Save the Children Project with the singular aim of encouraging and motivating young talents.

As at the time of fielding in this story, the Hon. Commissioner of Information in Akwa Ibom State, Hon comrade Ini EmemObong noted that the state government is aware of the late music Icons’ death.

Reacting to question on whether the state government would support the family he left behind, the commissioner explained: “We just got the letter from the family informing the governor of his dead yesterday, things are not done that way, you don’t expect the governor to act in such a letter within 24 hours….until I get to him’.

Hon. EmemObong further promised to fast tract the process in view of the late singer contributions to the state in his active days.

A family source who claimed he was not authorize to speak on the matter informed this medium that Mish died leaving behind a legacy that resonates with many in the music industry adding that he was married with a child.

Mish who hailed from Obot Okoh, Mbiaobong in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State was born on 13th Sept 1985. He got married in 2015 to Nosa Osayi, from Oredo LGA of Edo state and the union was blessed with a daughter, named Kimberly.

An unconfirmed report stated that the wife had abandoned the marriage and relocated abroad leaving the child behind. All effort to reach the wife proved abortive.

Mish was buried today at Gudu Cementry in Abuja according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith.