Just In: Tragedy as Former Minister Olubolade Slumps, Dies

• Former Bayelsa state's military administrator, Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), has reportedly slumped and died
• Olubolade had also served a Nigeria's minister in three different capacities under the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan
• The late military chief, who was appointed as the pioneer administrator of the newly created Bayelsa, was a foundation member of the defunct AC and later defected to the PDP

Apapa, Lagos - Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), the former military administrator in Bayelsa state and an ex-minister of special duties, has reportedly died.

Apart from serving as Special Duties minister, Olubode also served as Police Affairs minister and minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He was said to have slumped and died while playing lawn tennis in the Apapa area of Lagos on Sunday, May 11.

When was Captain Caleb Olubolade's birthday?

The late Ekiti-born politician was 70 years old at the time of his death. He marked his last birthday on November 30, 2024.

In a statement signed by his first daughter and first son, Oluwayemisi Akinadewo and Dayo Olubolade, on Monday, May 12, the family explained that the former minister drove himself to the tennis court, which was nearby and collapsed while playing the sport.

The statement reads in part:

“He drove to the facility to play lawn tennis in the evening and slumped while playing. Efforts were made by medical officers around to revive him to no avail.”

The former officer was then rushed to Obisesan Naval Medical Hospital in Apapa, where he gave up the ghost. According to the family, details of his burial arrangements will be announced soon.

Profile of Captain Caleb Olubolade

The late naval chief was born in Ipoti-Ekiti in the Ijero local government of Ekiti state. He joined the Nigerian Navy and attended courses such as Britannia Royal Naval College, UK, in 1975 and the Naval College of Engineering, India, in 1979.

He was the pioneer military administrator of the newly created Bayelsa state and was appointed by the late General Sani Abacha on June 9, 1997.

Captain Caleb Olubolade was a military administrator of Bayelsa between 1997 to 1998. On April 6, 2010, the former acting President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as the Minister of Special Duties at the announcement of his cabinet.

In July 2011, former President Jonathan announced the appointment of Olubolade as the Minister of police affairs and subsequently moved to the Minister of State for the FCT. He was a foundation member of the defunct Action Congress (AC) but defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) later in 2006.

Why people slump and die - Experts

Medical experts have said that sudden collapses, commonly referred to as "slumping," are often caused by issues involving two vital organs — the heart and the brain, according to Medical World Nigeria.

Health professionals said the heart plays a crucial role in maintaining blood flow, especially during periods of physical exertion, when it pumps harder to supply the brain with oxygen-rich blood. If the brain is deprived of blood for more than four minutes, a person can lose consciousness, a condition that can be fatal if not immediately addressed.

Experts warn that underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which are often undiagnosed, significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. These conditions can quietly progress over time, making them particularly dangerous.

According to Dr. Gabriel Omonaiye, hypertension is one major risk factor for sudden death in Nigeria. He noted that many people joke with their blood pressure and leave their health to chance, and that is why some are just slumping and dying.

“Hypertension that is not controlled or not properly controlled can lead to malignant hypertension. A person who suddenly develops heart palpitations, which means the heart is not well coordinated, can die if he or she is not properly attended to," Saturday Sun quoted the doctor as saying.

Doctors urge regular health screenings and lifestyle changes to mitigate the risk of sudden medical emergencies.

Muslim man slumps, dies while breaking Ramadan fast

In another report, a tragic incident occurred in the Kutunku area of Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), recently, when a man identified as Abdulrasheed Usman reportedly slumped and died while breaking his Ramadan fast.

The event left the community in shock and mourning. According to an eyewitness, Suleiman Bala, the deceased was with three friends at the time of the incident.

Usman and his companions were seated on a bench, eating fruits to break their fast, when he suddenly collapsed. His friends quickly rushed him to a nearby hospital on a motorcycle, but the doctor on duty confirmed that Usman had passed away.

Legit.ng's head of politics and current affairs desk, Nurudeen Lawal, contributed insights from medical experts on the causes of slumping to death to this report.

Source: Legit.ng