A single mother of three children slumped and died during the maiden edition of the Delta Elders’ Walk tournament in Asaba on Monday.
The deceased, a secondary school teacher, identified as Lovett Ighorodhe, slumped around Mami market area of Asaba, Delta State capital during a 10-km walk held ahead of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s second term inauguration.
Her corpse, as at the time of filing this report, was deposited at the morgue at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.
According to a source, the deceased was hale and hearty when she left for the walk, adding that she is a native of Aboh in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the State.
“The news of her death came to us as a rude shock. If anybody had told us that she would die even in two years time, we would have doubted it,” the source stated.
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 organisers 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.