Nigeria on Monday confirmed its first coronavirus death.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made the confirmation on its official Twitter handle.
The patient is a 67 year old man who returned to the country following medical treatment in the UK
”The 1st #COVID19 death in Nigeria has been recorded. The case was a 67 year old male who returned home following medical treatment in the UK, the tweet said
”He had underlying medical conditions- multiple myeloma & diabetes & was undergoing chemotherapy
”Our thoughts are with his family.”it added.
However, the patient has been revealed to be former Managing Director of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Suleiman Achimugu.
According to Sahara Reporters, a statement signed by one Abubakar Achimugu on behalf of the family said the deceased who returned to Nigeria two weeks ago, started showing symptoms of the virus last Tuesday.
He said after the NCDC took his blood sample, he tested positive and was evacuated to the specialist hospital, Gwagwalada in Abuja.,
“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 died while receiving treatment.” he added.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK