Taekwondo Community In Mourning As WT Referee Loses Mum

AZIMO OUGURUMSI ELVIS

The country’s Taekwondo community was thrown into mourning last week as a World Taekwondo (WT) international referee, Miss Thursdaline Peter lost her mother.

Mrs. Janet Iquo Ntukpo, a devout Christian and a community leader died in Lagos on December 1 during a brief illness. 

She was aged 58 years.

She is survived by six children among whom is Miss Thursdaline Peter, one of Nigeria’s top taekwondo referees.

Mrs. Ntukpo, a native of Uboro in Akwa Ibom State was until her death an influential member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Lagos.

Miss Peter described her mother’s death as very painful.

“My mother’s death is very painful. I really cannot describe the depth of my pain. She was everything to me, she was a mother in a million”.

Meanwhile, prominent names in the taekwondo and judo communities have extended their condolences to Miss Peter.

President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, NTF, Mr. Saidu Abdullahi while commiserating with the bereaved asked her to take solace in the fact that her late mother left behind a good name.

In his message, the Special Assistant to the President of the Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF, Mr Ikpo Igbinoba noted that though Mrs. Ntukpo died at a tender age, she lived an exemplary life, a life of selfless service to God and humanity.

The media aide prayed that God should grant Miss Peter and her siblings the fortitude to bear the loss.

Former national judo coach, Edokpolor Ihaza said though losing one’s mum was a very painful experience, he asked Miss Peter and her siblings to build on their late mother’s legacies.

The coach said “It is really sad news, the death of Thursdaline’s mother. I commiserate with Thursdaline and her siblings”

Mr. Edokpolor added “I am pleased that Mrs Ntukpo left behind a good name and enduring legacies. 

“My appeal is that those she left behind should continue with her good deeds”.

Burial arrangements for Mrs. Ntukpo would be announced later by the family.