Breaking: Okunuga, Nigerian Pathologist, Dies Of Coronavirus; Panic In Imo, Enugu

By Charles Igbo

Finally, Coronavirus has hit home. It has taken the life of one of Nigeria’s brightest – in a rare field.

A Nigerian- born Pathologist, Dr Olumide Okunuga, 63, has just succumbed to the dreaded and ravaging disease. He died in Canada.

According to a US blog, Irohinoodua,  Dr Okonuga, who  arrived Canada, obviously contacted the Virus in Italy where he lived.

He was on a visit to Canada when the symptoms manifested.

A native of Ikenne, Remo, Ogun state, Okunuga was a two-time Councillor in the city of Modena, Italy, where he had lived for 35 years.

His body was identified by his daughter,  Dr Bolanle Okunuga. He was married to a Caucasian of Italian origin.

In another development, fear and panic have gripped both Imo and  Enugu states, especially, those who were on the same flight (and vehicle) with a 70-year old woman who flew into the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Imo,12th March, on her way to Enugu. She developed symptoms, suspected to be that of Coronavirus on her arrival to Enugu. She recently arrived Nigeria from London.

Presently, she is under solitary confinement. If the symptoms are confirmed, the tracking of all those who were on the same flight with her to Owerri, and of all those who had any contact with her would begin. Her condition,though, is said to be stable.

Remarkably, all those kept in solitary confinement in Nigeria,on suspicion, have had clean bills. Only the index case, an Italian, and an individual who had a close contact with him, tested positive. While his contact is fully recovered, the index case is said to be over 80% recovered.