Weeks before he was set to graduate at the Western Michigan University, a Nigerian-America student, Bassey Offiong, died from coronavirus after being refused a test several times in Michigan.
The PUNCH gathered that the deceased is a 25-year-old college student studying Chemical Engineering at the Michigan-based university.
A relative to the deceased told The PUNCH that he tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.
Offiong’s cousin, Rosalyn Afiong, added that the student died on Sunday, describing the deceased as a “shining light.”
“My dear sweet cousin, this is unreal. I don’t even know where to begin. May your soul rest in eternal peace. You did everything and more with your time here on Earth, and although you weren’t anywhere near done in your purpose, you’ve been called for a higher purpose bigger than us all.
“I love you so much and I pray you to keep that same light shining on us from above,” Afiong said while paying a tribute on Facebook.
According to his sister, Offiong was refused testing several times despite showing symptoms of the deadly virus.
She said the victim had shortness of breath, fatigue and fever before his death.
“I told him to ask them to test him. He said they refused to test him,” she told Detroit News.
Confirming his death, WMU president, Edward Montgomery, said, “On behalf of the entire Bronco community, I want to extend my deepest condolences to his entire family, including his sister Asari, who has been generous in communicating with us regularly.”
One of his friends, Koko Adiaha, said it was “extremely hard” to believe Offiong’s death,
Adiaha said, “My mother called me frantic and told me we lost Bassey Offiong due to COVID-19. I just can’t wrap my head around the why and how.
“This one is extremely hard to process. Beloved by everyone who knew him. Bassey deserved much more than what was offered to him.”
A representative of Michigan’s Sixth Congressional District, Fred Upton, added, “I woke up this Sunday morning to the sad news of a WMU Engineering student who passed away with coronavirus.
“He had a ventilator and, likely, other members of his immediate family are also impacted along with perhaps his roommates at WMU. Our condolences are with them.”
Punch
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Monday, March 30, 2020
President Buhari full Address on COVID-19
From the first signs that Coronavirus, or COVID-19 was turning into an epidemic and was officially declared a world-wide emergency, the Federal Government started planning preventive, containment and curative measures in the event the disease hits Nigeria. President Buhari addresses Nigerians, says his administration is doing everything to contain the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country. The president made the assurance in a broadcast on Sunday.
Lagos on Lockdown to Curb Virus in Nigeria
Nigeria will restrict all movement of people and ordered businesses and offices closed in its two main cities, Lagos and Abuja, as well as Ogun state -- the three areas in Africa’s most populous nation that have been hit hardest by the coronavirus.
The lockdown will take effect Monday at 11 p.m. and last for an initial period of two weeks, President Muhammadu Buhari said in a speech on state TV Sunday. The first country in sub-Saharan Africa to identify a person who tested positive for the disease, Nigeria now has 97 cases. It’s already closed its borders and halted domestic flights.
Lagos, Africa’s biggest city, is a sprawling metropolis of about 20 million people, and Abuja, the capital, has several million. Ogun state neighbors Lagos and is an industrial hub.
“We are fully aware that such measures will cause much hardship and inconvenience to many citizens,” Buhari said. “But this is a matter of life and death.”
While travel to or from other states must be restricted, the seaports will remain open for cargo. Private jets will also be grounded and all federal government stadia will be converted into isolation centers and makeshift hospitals, he said.
Among other measures announced by Buhari are the suspension of repayments for credit given to low-income traders and farmers, as well as for manufacturers and agribusinesses that have received funding as part of Buhari’s policy to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil.
By Ruth Olurounbi and Elisha Bala-Gbogbo
Bloomberg
The lockdown will take effect Monday at 11 p.m. and last for an initial period of two weeks, President Muhammadu Buhari said in a speech on state TV Sunday. The first country in sub-Saharan Africa to identify a person who tested positive for the disease, Nigeria now has 97 cases. It’s already closed its borders and halted domestic flights.
Lagos, Africa’s biggest city, is a sprawling metropolis of about 20 million people, and Abuja, the capital, has several million. Ogun state neighbors Lagos and is an industrial hub.
“We are fully aware that such measures will cause much hardship and inconvenience to many citizens,” Buhari said. “But this is a matter of life and death.”
While travel to or from other states must be restricted, the seaports will remain open for cargo. Private jets will also be grounded and all federal government stadia will be converted into isolation centers and makeshift hospitals, he said.
Among other measures announced by Buhari are the suspension of repayments for credit given to low-income traders and farmers, as well as for manufacturers and agribusinesses that have received funding as part of Buhari’s policy to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil.
By Ruth Olurounbi and Elisha Bala-Gbogbo
Bloomberg
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Kidnapped Nigerian footballers freed
Two Nigerian footballers - one a Super Eagles international - have been released after being kidnapped on Sunday.
Enyimba FC, for whom midfielder Ekundayo Ojo plays, said that both he and Abia Comet's Benjamin Iluyomade had "regained their freedom."
The pair were taken on Sunday when a vehicle they were travelling in from Akure was attacked. Another player from Enyimba, Emmanuel James, was also in the car, but escaped.
"Our midfielder man, Dayo Ojo has regained freedom from his kidnappers," the club tweeted.
Ojo represented Nigeria at senior level at the 2018 African Nations Championship, and at youth level with the U-17 in 2010.
The news of the kidnapping had come just hours after the death in a car crash of two footballers from Rangers International - Emmanuel Ogbu and Ifeanyi George, who was also a Super Eagles player.
Enyimba statement in full
"Enyimba midfielder Ekundayo Ojo and Abia Comets' Benjamin Iluyomade, who were kidnapped on Sunday have regained their freedom.
The footballers were released on Wednesday night following efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, with support from Enyimba Football Club, the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers and families of the players.
It would be recalled that the footballers were kidnapped along the Benin-Owo expressway as they journeyed to Akure following the suspension of the Nigeria Professional Football League amid concerns over the global pandemic, Covid-19.
The players have since reunited with their families."
BBC
Enyimba FC, for whom midfielder Ekundayo Ojo plays, said that both he and Abia Comet's Benjamin Iluyomade had "regained their freedom."
The pair were taken on Sunday when a vehicle they were travelling in from Akure was attacked. Another player from Enyimba, Emmanuel James, was also in the car, but escaped.
"Our midfielder man, Dayo Ojo has regained freedom from his kidnappers," the club tweeted.
Ojo represented Nigeria at senior level at the 2018 African Nations Championship, and at youth level with the U-17 in 2010.
The news of the kidnapping had come just hours after the death in a car crash of two footballers from Rangers International - Emmanuel Ogbu and Ifeanyi George, who was also a Super Eagles player.
Enyimba statement in full
"Enyimba midfielder Ekundayo Ojo and Abia Comets' Benjamin Iluyomade, who were kidnapped on Sunday have regained their freedom.
The footballers were released on Wednesday night following efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, with support from Enyimba Football Club, the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers and families of the players.
It would be recalled that the footballers were kidnapped along the Benin-Owo expressway as they journeyed to Akure following the suspension of the Nigeria Professional Football League amid concerns over the global pandemic, Covid-19.
The players have since reunited with their families."
BBC
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Video - Nigeria imposes restrictions amid sharp increase in COVID-19 cases
There are concerns there is too much indifference towards the pandemic in Africa's most populous nation. Nigeria has imposed restrictions in its administrative and commercial capitals following a sharp rise in cases, and its first death. But the streets are still packed with people.
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