One thing the many have learnt from the latest Coronaovirus (Covid-19) outbreak that is currently ravalging the world right now is that no one is immune to diseses like this, not even the famous or wealthiest in any country.
Nigeria like other countries of the world is currenlty battling with the help of our ever hardwirking medical personels to fight and contin the spread of the Coronvirus in the country but even at that, some people have been infected with the virus (mostly unknowningly) and the elite class of the Nigerian populace are not left out.
In this post, well be sharing a list of popular and well known Nigerian individuals who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
1) Abba Kyari
Abba Kyari is a well-known individual in Nigeria and one of the most powerful men in president Buhari’s cabinet. He was appointed as the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2015 and until he was diagnosed, this Nigerian politician served the Nigerian president diligently and to the best of his capacity.
He was diagnosed of the COVID-19 disease after a trip to Germany, where he was to endorse a partnership agreement on behalf of Nigeria with a global energy giant for the steady supply of qualitative power in Nigeria.
In late March 2020, some media outlets reported that he has been secretly flown out of the country to a hospital in London but in a message addressed to the public, the Chief of Staff rejected these claims saying that he was in Abuja but will be transferred to Lagos for additional tests and observation. He also stated that he’s feeling well and will be following all the protocols the government has announced of which some are self-isolating and quarantine.
Mr Abba Kyari also said that he has made his own personal care arrangements to avoid further burdening the public health system, which already faces so many pressures. He, however, did not debunk the news of testing positive for the Coronavirus disease.
According to multiple online reports, three of Kyari’s staffers have tested positive to the disease but the president and most of his cabinet members tested negative to the disease according to the presidency.
2) Atiku Abubakar’s Son
Nigeria’s former Vice President and one-time presidential candidate – Atiku Abubakar on March 22nd, 2020 revealed on Twitter that his son has tested positive for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Although the former VP didn’t state which one of his sons was diagnosed with the disease, he revealed that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been duly informed about the situation and that his son had been moved to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital in Abuja for intensive medical treatment and care.
Atiku in his tweet called for prayers for his son and urged Nigerians to stay safe. He also warned many Nigerians who are adamant that the Coronavirus epidemic in Nigeria is real and not one of the political gimmicks often used by some greedy Nigerian politicians to swindle money and loot the nations treasury.
Although we haven’t heard anything from the former VP since then about the case, we believe his son is getting better while receiving adequate treatment at the specialist hospital in Abuja.
3) Davido’s Fiancée – Chioma
Nigerian music superstar – David Adeleke also known as Davido revealed that his fiancee – Chioma (thechefchi) has tested positive for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). He stated that although they had no symptoms and were perfectly fine, they decided to take the COVID-19 test on Wednesday along with the close friends and associates they had recent contact with as a result of their travel history.
The DMW boss also stated that he would be going into self-isolation as a result of the issue. He also said that Chioma is doing perfectly fine and she is even still yet to show any symptoms whatsoever.
Davido also made it known to the public that their baby, Ifeanyi Adeleke alongside himself and 29 other who were tested. The singer thanked his fans and well-wishers for their continued love and prayers and urged them to stay at home, in order to curtail the spread of the disease.
4) Seyi Makinde
The Executive governor of Oyo State, Mr Oluwaseyi Makinde announced on the 30th of March, 2020 that he has tested postive for the Coronavirus disease which is also known as COVID-19.
Seyi Makinde who made this revelation to the general public via his twitter page stated that he is asymptomatic and will follow all the protocols suggested by the W.H.O, NCDC and the Nigerian Federal Government of which some are self-isolating and quarantine.
He also stated that he has designated Prof Temitope Alonge who was the former Chief Medical Director of the University College, Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force in Oyo State till he fully recovers from the virus. His announcement brought the number of infected governors in Nigeria to three.
5) Nasir El-Rufai
Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai who is the Executive Governor of Kaduna State on March 28, 2019, announced that he has tested positive for the COVID-19 disease and would be self-isolating at home.
In a video which was uploaded to his verified handle on Twitter, the governor appealed to the people of Kaduna State to continue to closely observe the preventive measures already announced. He also stated that the Deputy Governor is chairing the COVID-19 Taskforce and will continue to issue statements from time to time.
El-Rufai was the second Nigerian governor to test for the COVID-19 virus.
6) Bala Mohammed
Former Minister for F.C.T and the current Executive Governor of Bauchi State – Bala Mohammed announced that he announced that he has tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a statement which was issued by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mukhtar Gidado, he assured the people of Bauchi state that he is doing very well and would countiue to self isolate.
He also solicited for prayer from Nigerians and advised that people who had contact with him before he got his test result from the NCDC should go for the test immediately and self isolate to avert further spread of the virus.
7) Others In Self Isolation
The number of overall reported cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria are on the low but increasing daily and this also applies to the elites amongst the Nigerian populace.
There were some suspected cases of the virus in some top events in the country for the last few months and this has made many celebrities and well-known people in Nigeria to go on the mandatory 14-day self-isolation period due to being in contact with others who reportedly flew into the country with the disease and didn’t go on the 14-day self-isolation period recommended by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Some of these cerlebrities who have openly announced that their are in self isolation include:
- Davido after being in contact with his fiancee, Chioma who tested positive,
- Banky W and wife, Adesua Etomi, who attended the African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) where there were suspected cases of Coronavirus
- Mercy Eke, winner of Big Brother Naija Pepper Dem Edition, also entered self-isolation after participating in the AMVCA;
- Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
- Iyabo Ojo
- Jemimah Osunde after attending the AMVCAs
- Beverly Naya due to the AMVCAs
- Toke Makinwa
- Kemi Akinkoju
