News of Ngige’s rumoured death shakes N’Assembly

A rumoured death of the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, shook the National Assembly on Thursday.

But investigations showed that the former Senator and former Governor of Anambra State, did not visit the National Assembly complex on Thursday.

Ngige is said to be in Zambia for an official assignment.

However, a around midday on Thursday, rumour spread in the National Assembly that Ngige had come to the House of Representatives to defend the 2016 budget of his ministry but collapsed in the process.

The minister, in a terse reaction, quickly dismissed the rumour of his death.

His Personal Assistant, Mr. Nwachukwu Ngige, relayed the minister’s Facebook post in which he dismissed the rumour.

He wrote, “Dear friends , please disregard the wicked tissue of lies, contained in an online publication about an unfortunate incident said to have taken place today (Thursday) at the National Assembly and in which I was said to have been involved.

“I am currently not in the country let alone being at the National Assembly. I have since Monday, February 15, 2016 been attending the 42nd Ordinary Session of the African Regional Labour Advisory Council, taking place in Zambia.

“The meeting ends tomorrow (today). Indeed, as the Vice-Chairman of today’s session, I had the privilege of moderating as well as giving the vote of thanks on behalf of other African countries.

“I thereafter presented a gift also on their behalf to the Vice-President of Zambia, Mrs. Inonge Wina.”

Findings showed that the actual incident involved an unidentified visitor to the National Assembly, who reportedly suddenly took ill.

The man was said to have been walking along the corridor on Level III of the House of Representatives New Wing when he suddenly took ill.

Some eyewitnesses, who declined to be named, said the victim, in a bid to maintain his balance, held on to the door knob of Rm. 315 along the corridor, where he eventually collapsed.

The room is the office of the Chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs, Mr. Haliru Jika.

However, the man was not Jika’s visitor.

The man was said to have hailed from Auchi in Edo State. He reportedly died in the process.

“We have no idea who he was. He was not breathing.

“Doctors from the National Assembly Clinic were called in to help but their efforts were fruitless.

“The victim was quickly taken away for possible resuscitation at the National Hospital, Abuja,” one of the eyewitnesses stated.