A young Nigerian father, who was also the only son of his parents, has sadly passed away after collapsing while playing football in Ireland.
Tributes have been pouring in for 30-year-old Lotanna, described as a loving and devoted father. He died suddenly on Thursday, September 18, while taking part in a football match in Limerick. At the time of his passing, Lotanna and his fiancée, Roisin, were happily expecting their second child.
A fundraiser has now been set up to support the family he left behind, Roisin, their little boy LJ, and the unborn baby who is on the way.
Lotanna’s close friend, Solomon, explained what happened that evening. He said: “On Thursday night, while playing football, a game he truly enjoyed and was passionate about, Lotanna suddenly collapsed on the pitch. Sadly, he passed away instantly. His unexpected death has left his family, friends, and the wider community in deep shock, grief, and heartbreak.”
Lotanna originally moved from Nigeria to Ireland with hopes of furthering his education and building a brighter future. During his time in Ireland, he met Roisin, the love of his life. Their relationship blossomed into a beautiful journey together. They welcomed their first child, LJ, and only a few weeks ago, they received the joyful news that another baby was on the way.
According to Solomon, Lotanna was the rock of his family, a strong, dependable, and caring figure. He described him as a dedicated father, a loving partner, and the only son of his parents back home in Nigeria. Lotanna had many dreams for the future: marrying Roisin next year, raising his children, and building a life filled with love, stability, and opportunity. Sadly, his sudden passing has left a painful emptiness in the lives of everyone who knew him.
To honour him, a fundraiser has been launched to help bring Lotanna’s body back to Nigeria for burial and to provide financial support for Roisin, LJ, and their unborn child. Part of the funds will also go to Lotanna’s parents in Nigeria as they grieve the loss of their only son.
In a show of respect, a minute’s silence was observed at matches across the North Tipperary and District League on Sunday, September 21, in memory of Lotanna. His passing is not only a great loss to his family but also to the community that had embraced him in Ireland.
