Atiku’s Son: How COVID-19 Humbled Me; Says He Has Learnt His Lesson

By Charles Igbo

Fresh from a COVID-19 Isolation Centre, and experiencing freedom for the first time in 40 days, Mohammed Atiku, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, said his experience at the centre has humbled him. He also said he had learnt lessons.

Mohammed entered the Isolation Centre at the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada on February 27, to be treated for COVID-19 for which he had tested positive.

On being released, the 31 year-old, said: “This is one of the everlasting lessons I can’t forget for the rest of my life.

“Indeed, I have been humbled by this experience. Words cannot sufficiently convey the depth of my joy over my recovery and discharge”.

His relieved father, Atiku Abubakar, who had the difficult job of announcing his son’s COVID-19 status, also, had the joyous job of announcing his negative status, and discharge from hospital. In a message, he said: “With gratitude to God, we are excited. It couldn’t have come at a better time of the Ramadan

“I thank you all for your prayers, even as we remain indebted to the medical personnel who have stayed tireless in their efforts”

Mohammed’s 40-day stay at the Isolation Centre, ranks as the longest for any known patient in Nigeria. It brought a lot of anxiety and worries, with speculations, flying.

A couple of days ago, the stories made the rounds that he had been moved to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital since he was still positive. But another story said he had been quietly released.

Both turned out false, as he was released only Monday evening.

Mohammed contracted the disease on a business trip abroad. He tested positive as soon as he came back.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who also tested positive for COVID-19,  had alleged that he contracted it from Mohammed Atiku on an Aero Airline flight from Lagos to Abuja, when he shook hands with him.

But Atiku Jnr. dismissed the claim, saying they never shook hands, that they only waved at each other on the plane, revealing that the Governor had just come back from Germany.