Governor Godswill Akpabio has identified factors responsible for untimely death in Nigeria and called for collective efforts to halt the trend.

Speaking yesterday during a funeral service for the late Pharmacist (Mrs.) Maria Esio Oquong Udoh conducted by Methodist Church of Nigeria, Oron, Chief Akpabio mentioned the factors to include stress, air pollution, road accident and prevalence of diseases, among others.

The Akwa Ibom State helmsman lamented that as a result of these problems, many people who would have lived to old age die young. He noted that Mrs. Udoh would not have died now, but for poor road network.

Chief Akpabio remarked that his administration has not discriminated in the construction of the state and federal roads in a bid to preserve lives, saying that untimely death is a common feature among Nigerians due to a myriad of problems.

He advised communities to stop creating impediment for government's effort during the construction of roads in their areas by pegging traditional injunction and erecting tombstones to collect compensation, noting that such attitude hinders the execution of development projects in the rural areas.

The Governor commiserated with Dr. Esio Oquong Udoh over the untimely demise of his wife, whom he described as a Field Marshal in politics while the husband is a General in politics. He stressed the need for the congregation to beseech God to preserve people of Oron Nation so that the basic infrastructure provided by the state government would be enjoyed by the living not the dead.

The Governor said though it was painful that the woman has embarked on journey of no-return where there wolf be no pain, no air pollution, no robbery, no accident and no kidnapping, the bereaved family should be consoled that she was a good wife and had fulfilled her days as a mother and a professional in her calling.

Akpabio recalled that her late mother loved him and blessed him before her passage into eternity, advising his political opponents to be careful because what he blesses are blessed and what he curses are also cursed.

Aged 54, Mrs. Udoh was a Deputy Director in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital before she died in an accident along Port Harcourt - East Way Road.

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