Governor slumps: At Armed Forces Remembrance parade grounds - I wonder what will appear in newspapers tomorrow, says Gov

Jude Ossai, Enugu - 16.01.2008

THE Enugu State governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, slumped at the Michael Okpara square parade grounds in Enugu, the state capital, on Tuesday.

It took the effort of the governor’s aides to revive him after he suddenly kissed the canvas in the middle of a prayer session marking this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

The prayer session, led by Brigadier General C. S. Aina, Lieutenant Colonel B. K. Kanche, and Colonel A.O. Adelaja, was stopped for a few minutes to allow the governor to recuperate.

Governor Chime was quickly guided into a waiting car that took him to Government House Lodge at Abakaliki Road where a physician was called to attend to him.

Following the exit of Governor Chime from the scene, his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi, took over the affairs as he laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the square.

There were speeches by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Major General A. T. Ibrahim and the state Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Jeremiah Novo.

Reacting to the incident, Governor Chime told reporters who besieged him at the Lodge that he actually “passed out,” adding that he had received several calls from friends and well-wishers on his state of health.

“At Michael Okpara Square, I did not notice many of you. I believe you are here because of what happened at the parade grounds. Nothing unusual happened. Nothing abnormal happened. It just happened midway into the ceremony, I got exhausted and passed out and luckily, my aides were there and they came to my aid. I was taken to my seat. Nothing to worry about. I have been with my doctor,” he added.

Governor Chime predicted that the mass media would have a field day on the matter, stressing, “I wonder what will appear in the newspapers tomorrow.” He called on the people of the state to remain calm.