The Nigerian Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed the second coronavirus death in the country.
Newsone Nigeria the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, announced this on Monday during the Presidential Task Force Briefing on coronavirus (COVID-19) in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
This burgeoning online news platform understands that the Minister stressed that Nigeria has 111 confirmed cases of COVID-19, saying a majority of them were persons who came in from overseas.
The Health Minister said the highest number of confirmed cases are in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city and Abuja, Nigeria’s capital because they serve as the major gateways to the country.
Ehanire also informed the gathering that all retired but able-bodied staff of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health were being recalled.
The Health Minister said warned Nigerians to protect the elderly among them, as well as those having underlying health issues as they were the most vulnerable.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, in his opening remarks, informed the audience that the briefing would be a daily event.
SGF Mustapha explained that the purpose was to give an update and minimise the incidence of fake news in the country.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation stressed that the briefing would be the only approved briefing of the task force, although appearances on TV by relevant members would be allowed.
Mustapha announced that President Muhammadu Buhari has constituted a committee headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to care for the economic challenges that the situation may bring for the time being.
The SGF also clarified the controversy triggered by the restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
SGF Mustapha allayed the fear of Nigerians, saying workers in the financial institutions were not included in the stay-at-home order declared by the President in his Sunday broadcast to the nation.
NewsOne Nigeria reports Nigeria recorded its first coronavirus death March 23. The former managing director of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) Engr. Suleiman Achimugu died after contracting coronavirus.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had described late Achimugu as a 67-year old male who returned home following medical treatment in the United Kingdom.
“The 1st #COVID19 death in Nigeria has been recorded. The case was a 67-year-old male who returned home following medical treatment in UK.
“He had underlying medical conditions- multiple myeloma & diabetes & was undergoing chemotherapy. Our thoughts are with his family,” the tweet added.