Plateau Governor’s CoS tests positive to Covid-19; mourns Barkin-Ladi Chairman, Barr Mandyau

By Ron-well Jacob, Jos
The Chief of Staff to Plateau Governor, Mr Noel Donjur, has tested positive to COVID-19 after a test carried on him.
The disclosure comes as Governor Simon Lalong mourns the demise of late Barrister Ezekiel Mandyau, the Management Committee Chairman, Barkin Ladi Local Government, who died on Thursday evening at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
Everyday.ng reports on Friday that Danjur’s positive test result came as a result of the general tests conducted for members of the State Executive Council on July 1 following the directive of Governor Lalong.
Everyday.ng reports that Mandyau had passed away around 6.00pm of Thursday, July 2 at JUTH where he was undergoing treatment for pneumonia and thyphoid fever.
In a condolence message, issued by his spokesman, Dr Simon Makut, Lalong described as ‘shocking” the death of the Chairman, whom he said was a vibrant grassroots politician that connected well with his people and served them with integrity, vision and excellence.
Lalong said, “This is a great loss to Plateau State because the late Mandyau played a very key role in the implementation of the Rescue Agenda in his Local Government, particularly as it relates to security and infrastructure development.”
He explained that because of Mandyau’s leadership style, there was greater calm in Barkin Ladi as he adopted the early warning approach as well as community engagement and dialogue style to resolve issues” he stated.
Lalong stated that Mandyau would surely miss the Late Chairman, and consoled his immediate family; friends and associates; the people of Barkin Ladi; ALGON and the entire State over this sad development.
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On the result of the Covid-19 tests, a statement signed by information Commisioner, Mr Dan Manjang, said that all other members of the State EXCO tested negative except the Chief of Staff, who is “asymptomatic” and in “good condition. ”
Manjang said that already, health officials have commenced treatment for him at one of the isolation centres in Jos, while members of his family and other contacts were being traced, tested and quarantined.
He said that the Chief of Staff, who is in high spirits, deserves prayers from members of the public.
The commissioner also called on the public to endeavour to submit to COVID-19 testing, a very important step in unveiling cases for eventual treatment.
He further disclosed that other personal aides of the Governor, Permanent Secretaries, heads of parastatals as well as other senior civil servants conducted the test on Thursday July 2 and were awaiting the results.
Manjang said that Lalong admonished citizens to adhere strictly to the guidelines issued to curtail the spread of the virus in the state.