C/River lawmaker slumps, dies during morning exercise

Al a w m a e r representing the Obudu constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr Steven Okpukpen, slumped and died at the UJ Esuene Stadium yesterday during early morning exercise.

Few months ago, he had slipped at the same stadium and injured his k waist and had to stop the routine exercise until he recuperated.

When he slumped this time, his colleagues, who usually exercised along with him and other sports men, took him to the nearby Navy hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Meanwhile, Governor Ben Ayade described Okpukpen’s death as shocking and devastating, saying the legislator’s sudden passing has left him in a state of shock and disbelief.

Ayade said in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Christian Ita, lamented that Ukpukpen died at a young age, especially when the state needed his skills and expertise in the art of lawmaking.”

He commiserated with the lawmaker’s family, the State House of Assembly, the people of Obudu and the state over the death.

Governor Ayade prayed God to grant his young family the strength to cope with the unfortunate and depressing occurrence.

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. John GaulLebo, also expressed shock over the development.

Photo: Speaker’s Media Office Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara with some Reps. members and members of the ‘Not too Young to Run’ movement, during a thank you by the movement leaders to the speaker at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday