Professor dies in Calabar after manifesto presentation

A Professor in the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar, Martins Isika, has died after presenting his manifesto for the position of the dean of the post graduate school, Punch reports.

Isika who only became a professor some six months ago, died at the Senate Chambers of the institution on Friday at about 2pm shortly after reading his manifesto to nearly 300 delegates that were to have voted.

A medical consultant at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, told the newspaper on Sunday that the professor might have died of cardiac related ailment.

He was quoted to have said: “Isika had just finished his electioneering campaign and in less than five minutes after addressing the senate regarding the votes, he slumped and died in his seat. The medical doctors among the senate members tried to do some resuscitation on him while rushing him to the hospital but before they got there he was already dead.

“Part of the indication was that he was hypertensive and was probably not regular in clinic. The point is that people should always check their health more than their wealth. He must have campaigned rigorously for not less than two weeks. This was an unfortunate situation.

“This man reached all the members of senate for his election. He customised the address of each member in the brochure for his programme.

“He was very meticulous. He went round addressing each person. So, the stress and the strain might have caught up with him.
“There were unconfirmed reports that he practically did not sleep before the next day and that may have taken a toll on his heart. When you have cases of sudden death like that it may be due to cardiac ailment but the only thing that can show what killed him would be an autopsy.

“Again, unconfirmed report had it that he was due for medical checks but he deferred it. Although nobody can speak for him now but it is imperative that we do not joke with our health. The lesson is that whatever we are pursuing we must be sure that we are alive to continue the pursuit.”