By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Grief has enveloped the university community of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, following the sudden death of a promising young student who reportedly slumped and died while playing football in the school.
The deceased, identified as Tochi Martins Attah, popularly known as “T-funds,” was a 300-level student of the Department of Microbiology before he recently switched to a medical course at the University. He was said to have collapsed in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, during a football game at the Elmada Hostel football field within the university campus.
Eyewitnesses at the scene said the match was progressing normally when Tochi suddenly slumped, sparking panic among fellow players and bystanders. It was not immediately clear whether any form of emergency or medical assistance was provided at the scene before his death was confirmed.
Tochi’s sudden demise has also thrown the University community and his hometown of Useh Village in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State into mourning.
He has been widely described as a symbol of hope and excellence in the community, and many have described his death as not just a personal loss to his family, but a blow to the aspirations of the community at large.
Reacting, the President of Useh Youths, Engr. Sabastine Aku, confirmed the sad news in a statement released on behalf of the family and the community.
He wrote: “With heavy heart but total submission to God’s will, the Attah family and entire Useh Village sadly announce the passing of our son, brother and friend, Late Dr. Attah Tochi Martins (a.k.a. T-Funds Exchange), younger brother to Hon. Dr. Simon Attah, the current Party Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State. He departed suddenly while playing football. May God accept his soul and grant the family comfort during this difficult time.”
While the university authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident or the possible cause of death, many have renewed calls for better health response mechanisms and first-aid facilities in higher institutions across the country to prevent similar tragic occurrences in the future.
Tochi Martins Attah’s death is coming just weeks after a similar incident was reported elsewhere in Anambra State, where a vibrant Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Udogu of the Catholic Diocese of Awka slumped and dìed while playing lawn tennis in Awka, raising fresh concerns over the rising cases of sudden collapses and deaths during sporting activities, especially among young people.
Recall also that a vibrant young man suspected to be UNIZIK student, Kenneth Oyeaka Rapuchukwu, jumped from a students’ Lodge in Ifite Awka and died, after allegedly consuming an illicit substance.
