75-year-old pensioner slumps, dies during screening in Edo State

There was commotion on Tuesday at the Oredo Council Secretariat, Benin, Edo State, as 75-year-old pensioner, Sunday Oboite, slumped and died during screening.

The council had reportedly directed that the pensioners come for screening before they would be paid their 10 months pension arrears. The septuagenarian was said to have worked in the Works Department of the council before he retired.

His death however caused chaos among the council workers as they crowded the reception to catch a glimpse of his corpse.

According to reports, he slumped at the reception of the secretariat after taking Viju milk and water, reportedly given to him by an unidentified person, after he complained of hunger for several hours.

When the pensioners presented themselves for screening at 8a.m, they were asked to go to Urhokpota Hall, which is about 100 meters away.

The deceased, it was learnt, who was unable to go with his colleagues, chose to wait at the reception due to hunger.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, Erhunmen James, Secretary of Oredo Pensioners Association said Oboite slumped at 1:20p.m, and doctors at the council confirmed him dead.

James said the late pensioner came to the screening venue alone and complained of not having any money to buy food and drugs.