More than
573,000 people around the world so far have died due to complications from the
global pandemic, as cases of the deadly disease have topped 7.27 million in
total. 216,000 have also recovered.
The spread of
the Coronavirus continued to gain momentum, affecting millions around the world
and shown no deference to well-known faces, celebrity, or social status.
Nigeria
recorded its first case of Coronavirus on February 27th, 2020, after an Italian
national, was confirmed positive, making it the third case in Africa after it
was reported in Egypt and Algeria respectively. As of May 13, every African
country had recorded an infection, the last being Lesotho.
There are now
more than 594,955 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the continent, with
active cases standing at 286,467, while recovery cases are 295,242 with the
number of deaths in Africa standing at 13,246.
In Nigeria,
as of July 13, the confirmed cases are 33,153, recovered cases are 13,671 while
744 people have died due to complications from the coronavirus.
About 24 days
after Nigeria’s index case of coronavirus, former Managing Director of the
Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Suleiman Achimugu, became the
first casualty of the global pandemic. Since his death on March 23rd, 774
people have so far died.
Asides health
workers and ordinary Nigerians, here are the names and faces of prominent
casualties who have died from the deadly virus.
On April 17,
President Muhammadu Buhari’s powerful Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, died of
COVID-19 at 67.
He was the
second victim but the most popular COVID-19 fatality in West Africa at the
time.
The
Presidency confirmed his death in a statement.
Former Oyo
state governor Abiola Ajimobi succumbed to COVID-19 and underlying symptoms. He
was 70.
The two-term
governor and former senator died after spending close to three weeks in a coma
at First Cardiology Consultants Hospital in Ikoyi, hooked on the ventilator,
with hopes that he would come to.
A week to his
death, news went viral that he was dead but his family debunked the news.
His death on
June 25, 2020, coincided with the resolution of the leadership crisis in his
party by the National Executive Committee meeting of the party.
The Ondo
State commissioner of health, Wahab Adegbenro, died from COVID-19 complications
on July 2 at the state’s infectious disease hospital.
Another
source said the Commissioner had been on self-medication after contacting the
virus being a medical doctor.”
He died two
days after handing the positive test result of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to
him.
Bayo Osinowo,
Senator representing Lagos East at the 9th Nigerian National Assembly died of
complications from COVID-19 on June 15th, 2020 in Lagos.
He was 64
years old.
Before
becoming Senator in 2019, he was a four-time Lagos House of Assembly member.
Lagos State
Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said he was saddened by the death of the Lagos
senator, but assured that the government will find a lasting solution to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Popular radio
host Dan Foster also succumbed to COVID-19 complications on the 17th of June.
His death sent shockwaves down social media.
Frank Edoho
of the popular ‘Want to be a Millionaire’ show wrote: “I just got off the
phone, my friend Oscar confirmed that Dan Foster has passed on.
“This is a
very very dark year.
“How can I
overcome this unending melancholy. Rest in Peace, dear Friend”.
Foster – the
Nigerian-American popularly known as The Big Dawg and Top Dawg came to Nigeria
from the U.S. in 2000 to work for Cool FM. He became an instant hit.
Foster’s
mother died when he was ten and was thus brought up with his three siblings in
Washington, D.C. by their father.
The Chief
Judge of Kogi State, Nasir Ajanah died at age 64 on 28th June, 2020.
A member of
the late Judge’s family who confirmed his death, said he died at the COVID-19
isolation centre in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
He died a
week after the death of Ibrahim Shaibu Atadoga, the president of the Kogi
customary court of appeal was reported.
The Chief of
Staff to Kwara State government, Alh Adisa Logun died from COVID-19
complications on July 7th, 2020.
The late
Chief of Staff in his late 70s was said to have been rushed to the hospital on
Monday evening after complaining about serious health complications before he
eventually died.
According to
a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, the
Chief of Staff died a few hours after the test of his COVID-19 result returned
positive.
Governor of Kwara
State and the entire cabinet were devastated upon the announcement of his
death.
Tunde
Braimoh, the lawmaker representing Kosofe Constituency 2 in the Lagos State
House of Assembly, died on 7th of July 2020, from COVID-19 related
complications.
The former
chairman of Kosofe Local Government died early Friday, two months to his 60th
birthday on 30 September.
Taiwo Fadipe,
the chief press secretary to Kosofe Local Government said Braimoh died after
two days of illness.
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