The first confirmed case in Nigeria was announced on February 27, when an Italian citizen in Lagos tested positive for the virus.
On March 9, a Nigerian citizen who had contact with the Italian was traced to Ewekoro, Ogun State, and recorded as the second case of the virus in the country.
Nigeria recorded the first death from the virus on March 22. As at December 23, 1,236 deaths have been reported across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Five deaths daily
Although Nigeria is one of the countries with low fatality rates from the virus, the country averages five deaths daily since the first death from the coronavirus was announced in March.
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The year 2020 came with both the good and bad wrapped together. The bad side of the year came with the coronavirus pandemic, the dwindling economy, loss of jobs, the negative aftermath of the #EndSARS protest and of course, the death of Very Important Personalities (VIPs) in Nigeria. This piece is a compilation of some the VIPs Nigeria lost and whose memories remain fresh in the hearts of many.
Major General Olubunmi Irefin: The death of Major General Olubunmi Irefin, the General Officer Commanding 6 Battalion, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on December 10, 2020, came as a rude shock to Nigerians and the Nigerian Army. Prior to his death, Major-General Irefin was a participant at the army’s 2020 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Abuja until he took ill and was found to have tested positive for COVID-19. He was receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Gwagwalada when he died. His death generated controversy as his kinsmen alleged that he
His kin has, however, rejected the claim that the army general died of COVID-19.
The Aiyetoro-Gbede community in Kogi State, where Irefin hailed from, said they suspected that he was murdered.
A.A Aminu, a spokesman of the Ayetoro Development Association, in a statement, called on the authorities to investigate the General s death.
The kin argued that COVID-19 could not have killed Irefin within such a short period.
Reacting to the claim, the Nigerian Army in a statement signed by its spokesman, Sagir Musa, narrated in sequence the events that led to the demise of the late Major General.
The statement reads: The sudden death of Maj General JO Irefin is no doubt a significant loss to the Nigerian Army (NA), his family and the country at large. Given the fake news, unnecessary and wicked insinuations that started emanating from unknown groups or individuals, the NA wishes to inform members of the public of the sequence of events that led to the death of the late senior officer.
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Reeling from a gale of infections in the aftermath of the Chief of Army Staff Conference held last week in Abuja, the Nigerian Army has said that 417 personnel, who participated in the conference have undergone tests out of which 26 senior officers and participants tested positive for COVID-19.
Media reports quoting sources had claimed that 18 generals had tested positive for the virus.
The army has battled to contain conspiracy theories peddled around after the death of Kogi State born former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major General Olubunmi Irefin, who died of complications arising from COVID-19 during the conference, in what is now believed to be a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ayetoro-Gbedde community mourns Army Gen Irefin thenationonlineng.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenationonlineng.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.