THE NATION

The Controller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service Muhammad Babandede, on Sunday tested positive for coronavirus.

Immigration spokesman Sunday James said Babandede went into self-isolation when he returned from the UK.

James said: “He has adhered to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) instructions to self-isolate and undergo a test.

The result of the test came out positive, hence, the need to make it public. He conveys his goodwill to all and he is in stable condition and responding to treatment.”

Also on Sunday, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, tested positive for coronavirus.

He said in a statement: “On Monday 23rd March, we commenced a 12-man quarterly board meeting, which was meant to last five days in the hospital.

“We observed social distancing and other precautionary measures for COVID-19 as much as possible.

“However, on Wednesday morning, one of us presented with what appeared to be symptoms of COVID-19. His samples were immediately taken for test and the meeting called off

“His results returned positive on Friday morning and every participant (including me) immediately went into self-isolation while our samples were also taken for the test.

“Unfortunately, my result returned positive on Saturday afternoon and I remain in isolation as I am not symptomatic.”

The Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa, also tested positive for coronavirus.

He said in a statement that his deputy, Prof. Obafunke Denloye, also tested positive for the virus.

“Although we are both asymptomatic, we have gone into self-isolation for 14 days whilst our contacts are being observed closely to determine if they should also be tested,” he said.

Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, tested negative for coronavirus.

He tweeted: “As a global citizen and business leader, I took the COVID-19 test and the result came back negative.”

Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello tested negative for coronavirus.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mrs Mary Noel Berje, said the governor will remain in self-isolation despite testing negative “to play safe.”

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, tested negative for the virus.

He tweeted: “Dear compatriots, I am glad to inform you that my results came out this afternoon and tested negative to #COVID-19.”

Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr Asishana Okauru, and his wife, Ifueko, also tested negative for the virus.

Okauru stated this in a statement issued in Abuja, following the tests conducted at the NCDC.

Borno State said all the five suspected COVID-19 cases tested negative.

The Commissioner for Health Dr Salisu Kwayabura, said the five presented themselves for testing due to their history of travelling to countries with highest coronavirus cases.

No fewer than 21 pending samples of suspected coronavirus cases in Bauchi State tested negative.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Aliyu Maigoro Mohammed told reporters that 93 contact samples tested.

He earlier announced that 47 of the 70 persons whose blood samples were taken for tests for suspected coronavirus infection tested negative.

He said 21 more results sent to the NCDC were being expected.