Tributes have continued to pour in for 30-year-old Lotanna, a young Nigerian father and the only son of his parents, who died suddenly while playing football in Limerick, Ireland.
Lotanna, who was expecting his second child with his fiancée Roisin, collapsed on the pitch on Thursday, September 18, and passed away instantly. His death has left his family, friends, and the wider community in deep shock and heartbreak.
A close friend, Solomon, described Lotanna as “the rock” of his family. He said:
“That Thursday evening, while playing football — a game he truly loved — Lotanna suddenly collapsed on the pitch and passed away instantly. His untimely death has left his family, friends, and community devastated.”
Originally from Nigeria, Lotanna had moved to Ireland to pursue his studies and build a brighter future. While there, he met the love of his life, Roisin, with whom he shared a son, LJ. Just weeks ago, the couple discovered they were expecting their second child.
“Lotanna was a devoted father, a loving fiancé, and the only son of his parents back home in Nigeria,” Solomon added. “He had big dreams for the future: marrying Roisin next year, raising their children together, and building a life filled with love and opportunity. His sudden passing has left a devastating void in all our lives.”
In response to the tragedy, a fundraiser has been launched to support Roisin, their young son LJ, their unborn child, and Lotanna’s parents in Nigeria. Part of the funds will also go towards ensuring his body is returned home to Nigeria for burial.
The loss has also been felt within the local football community. On Sunday, September 21, a minute’s silence was observed across games in the North Tipperary and District League in Lotanna’s memory.
