A member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Adamawa State died during the penalty shootouts of the match between Nigeria and South Africa of Wednesday evening.
It was gathered Thursday morning that the youth corper, identified only as Samuel from Kaduna State, died just before the last kick that ensured Nigeria’s victory in the match.
A witness, who gave an account of the incident in a social media post, said: “We lost one Nigerian during our victory celebration over south Africa at our sports viewing center here in Numan.
“The corps member who is serving in Numan from Kaduna State fainted before the kick of the winning goal.
“He died before they could reach the hospital in Numan. May his soul rest in peace.”
The NYSC Coordinator in Adamawa State, Jingi Dennis, said he was awaiting greater details of the incident.
The coordinator said in a conversation Thursday morning: “I received the news of his death last night. I hope to have more details today.
“According to his colleagues who went with him to watch the match, the late corps member told the people around him that he did not like watching penalty shootout. He then bowed his head and all of a sudden, he collapsed.
“He was confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Numan by the doctor.”
KWASU Bursar died too
In a related development, the match has claimed the life of Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi, who died on Wednesday evening while watching the semi-final match.
It was reliably gathered that the tension-soaked match triggered the blood pressure of the Deputy Bursar beyond the limit, but unknown to him while the match was getting to critical stages.
the Deputy Bursar died yesterday after he went to watch the match at a sports centre in Sango area of Ilorin, which was very close to his house where the incident occurred.
According to the source, Ayuba watched the game till the end of the extra time when he felt uncomfortable and was rushed to a private hospital in the area where he gave up the ghost.
“The deputy bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, and when it was time for the penalty kick, he complained that he was feeling dizzy, so he said he needed to go back home and rest, not knowing that his BP had gone up.
“So on getting home, he collapsed, and he was rushed to a private hospital in Sango, where he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), and before he could be attended to, he died,” the source said.
He was buried on Thursday morning, according to Islamic rites.
Confirming the Deputy Bursar’s death, Dr Saedat Aliyu, Director of Information of KWASU, said that Ayuba died on Wednesday night.
Aliyu, who said that Ayuba was hale and hearty when he came to work on Wednesday, stated that the cause of the death was yet to be ascertained by the management of the university.
“Yes, he died last night. He was hale and hearty and was full of life on Wednesday at his office. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus,” she said.
Ex-NDDC Executive Director died while watching match
A former Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Cairo Ojougboh, is dead.
A family source, who confirmed his death said he collapsed immediately after a penalty kick was awarded against Nigeria during the game in Bouake, Ivory Coast. He was watching the match in his Abuja office.
Ojougboh, was a prominent APC member, who has a long-standing political career included representing the Ika federal constituency.
President Bola Tinubu has sent a condolence message to the family of the former NDDC Executive Director.
In a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed. The President also comforted his family members and urged them to find strength and hope in God Almighty, who presides over the affairs of men, as well as in the cherished memories and legacy of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ojougboh was a member of the House of Representatives (2003-2007) and a leader of the APC in Delta State.
