TRAGEDY STRIKES TWICE

Five children are orphaned as their father dies of bowel cancer the day before the funeral for his wife who also died of the disease

FIVE children have become orphans days after their dad expressed his fears for their future before he lost his battle to bowel cancer.

Omena Ubiaro, 38, died earlier this morning in a Wolverhampton hospice, ahead of his wife’s funeral – who died of the same disease two months earlier.

Mr Ubiaro spent his final months raising money for his five children aged seven to 19 – fearing they would become orphans.

His wife Makeda Ubiaro, 38, died on 29 July this year after she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August 2016.

The devoted dad’s gofundme page has now almost reached £30,000.

Family friend, Charles Busari, posted on the page this afternoon: “It breaks my heart to report that sadly our dear brother Omena has lost his fight to cancer at the early hours of Monday 4th September 2017.

“I would like to offer a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to everyone who have contributed so far financially, with prayers and with words of encouragement.

“Unfortunately our worst fears have been confirmed and we now need your donations now more than ever to support the children. No amount is too small as little streams make mighty oceans.”

In a heartbreaking video filmed before his death, the dad thanked those who have supported his family as he lay hooked up to machines in a hospital bed.

He said: “Recently, myself and my five boys we’ve just lost my wife, they’ve lost a mother and I’ve also lost a best friend as well.

“It’s been difficult for the boys, it’s been difficult for myself.

“I cannot lie it has been the most toughest thing that a husband and a father’s ever had to face or deal with but it’s only been easier with support and help from friends.”

As part of the appeal, Omena said the death of his beloved wife and ongoing fight against cancer is the “toughest thing” he has ever dealt with.

Omena and Makeda met as teenagers while studying at St Francis Xavier College in Clapham, South London.

They married in 2004 and moved to Birmingham in 2009.

Tributes have been pouring in for the tragic couple and five boys they leave behind.

Abi Babalola said: “May God comfort your children. May they be pleased in the fact that they had amazing parents even for such a short time. May they be comforted and honour your legacy as the years progress.”

Linda Okeke added: ‘Omena, we bonded over diet and fitness. You fought so very hard. No more pain. May you and your dear wife Makeda rest in perfect peace.’

The couple renewed their wedding vows in 2014 when Omena was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer.

Omena’s best friend Femi Iloyi, 40, told Mirror Online: “He is so determined to stay alive for his children.

“This appeal is so important – if Omena dies that leaves their five children so we are trying to help the family.”

To support the family visit www.gofundme.com/support-omena-ubiaro-and-family