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Nigeria records first Coronavirus death; Atiku says son has it; Aisha Buhari pushes for total lockdown

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the first case of a death from Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria. It also announced five new cases, raising the number to 35.
Presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, announced on his Twitter handle his son has it.
“My son has tested positive for coronavirus,” he tweeted.
He further disclosed his son has been moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for treatment.
He adds, “The @NCDCGov (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control) has been duly informed, and he has been moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for treatment and management. I will appreciate it if you have him in your prayers. Stay safe, coronavirus is real”.
NCDC did not name the 67 years old who died but the family of the former Managing Director of the government-owned oil industry parastatal, Engr. Suleiman Achimugu, confirmed his death.
A statement by a family member, Abubakar, gave the circumstances of his death. It reads: “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 tested positive and was promptly evacuated to the specialist hospital. He died while recieving treatment.
“We implore the general public to pray upon his soul and the recovery of infected persons .Your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.
“Please maintain the public social distancing and restriction advice as we all walk through this very difficult time.
“He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.May Allah SWA have mercy on him.Ameen”.
In its own tweet confirming the death, the NCDC said, “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 and diabetes and was undergoing chemotherapy. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Meanwhile, First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, is pushing for a total lockdown of the country in a campaign hashtagged Total lockdown.
In a tweet, she posted: “It is commendable that state governors have closed down schools; however, this could be counterproductive if parents are still going to work. We should not isolate students and expose their parents. Let us remember that they will meet at home.”

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