Nigeria records first COVID-19 death

•  Cases rise to 36

The first death from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria has been recorded, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), just as confirmed  cases rise  to 36 in the country.

NCDC described the death case as that of a 67 year old male who returned following a medical procedure in the United Kingdom (UK). He reportedly had underlying medical conditions – multiple myeloma and diabetes –  and was said to have been undergoing chemotherapy.

Family sources have identified the man as the former Managing Director (MD) of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Suleiman Achimugu. According to a statement signed by Abubakar Achimugu, on behalf of the family, Suleiman died on Sunday Coronavirus disease

The statement reads: “Our family is deeply saddened to inform you of the sudden death of our beloved Father, Uncle, Brother and friend. Engr. Suleiman Achimugu (former Md of PPMC).

“He died of COVID 19 on 22/03/2020 some days  after he arrived Nigeria from the UK. He was in self isolation upon his return from the UK and personally called NCDC after experiencing some discomfort that are related to COVID 19 symptoms.

“He tested positive and was promptly evacuated to the specialist hospital. He died while receiving treatment.

“We implore the general public to pray upon his soul and the recovery of infected persons. Your thoughts and prayers  would be appreciated.

“Please maintain the public social distancing and restriction advice as we all walk through this very difficult time.

“He has since been buried according to Islamic rites. May Allah SWA have mercy on him. Ameen”.

Cases hit 36

Updates  from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) show that COVID-19 confirmed cases have increased to 36 as at 10.30am on March 23.

Lagos state still leads with 25 cases, followed by FCT (6), Ogun (2), Ekiti (1), Oyo (1) and Edo (1).

Among the new cases is  Mohammed Atiku,  son of former vice president and presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku on Sunday, March 22, confirmed in a tweet that his son had tested positive to the dreaded virus.

He urged Nigerians to pray for his son as he has been moved to Gwagwalada specialist teaching hospital for medical management.