A final-year student of the Higher National Diploma (HND) program in Journalism and Media Studies at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, has died after collapsing during a karate training session.
The student, simply identified as John, reportedly left his off-campus residence on Saturday to attend a martial arts training session when the unfortunate incident occurred. Witnesses say he slumped almost immediately after stepping onto the training ground.
He was quickly taken to a private hospital nearby but was later referred to the Ikot Ekpene General Hospital. According to Mr. Nsoefen Akpan, President of the Journalism and Media Studies Students Association (JAMSSA), the attending physician at the general hospital confirmed that John was brought in dead.
Unwilling to accept the devastating news, some students transported his body to a church, hoping for a miracle. Another spiritualist who attempted to intervene later told them that John had already passed into the spirit realm and could not be revived.
His body was subsequently returned to the mortuary. The unexpected loss has left the polytechnic community in mourning, with many students expressing shock over the tragic turn of events.
