By Onome Oghenetega
Mrs. Lovette Ighoroje, who slumped and died during the maiden edition of Delta Elders’ Walk tournament, one of the activities marking the second term inauguration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, is for burial June 22, 2019.
The mother three slumped and subsequently gave up the ghost midway into the tournament.
Governor Okowa, who received participants of the tournament at the Government House Asaba, had yet to make any comment regarding the ugly incident.
Delta Elders’ Walk tournament is a ten kilometers walk aimed to promote fitness among elderly people in the state.
Mrs. Ighoroje, whose corpse is at morgue the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, was said to have reportedly slumped when the competition was still ongoing around Mami Market area in Asaba, State capital.
It was further gathered that she slumped less than two kilometers into the walk which commenced at Abraka Junction in Asaba through Dennis Osadebay Way, Nnebisi Road, Anwai road to Government House, Asaba.
The deceased was said to have been pronounced dead when she was rushed to FMC on arrival on Monday 27, 2019.
Late Mrs. Ighoroje, who hailed from Aboh on Ndokwa East Local Area of the state, was believed to be in her fifties and participated in the tournament for elders between the ages of 55 and 70.
She was a staff of Guidance and Counselling department of Asagba Secondary School, Asaba.
Recall that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who received the participants at Government House, expressed joy that elders came out to participate actively in the walk.
The governor had said without making reference to the tragic incident that: “I am glad that this tournament is taking place as it will help us to keep fit and be healthy.
“Nigerians need to be encouraged to take a walk as it is good for our health and brain and I want to assure everybody that this tournament will be an annual event.
“I want to urge you to always take a walk at least twice a week so as to remain in good health,” and commended the organizers and participants in the walk for the colourful tournament.
Dr. Toju Eresanara who came first in the walk, got the sum of N3 million as prize while his runners up, Mr. Hycinth Osuhor and Mr. Ojubana Peter got the sums of N2 million and N1 million respectively.
