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CoronaVirus: Ekiti Records First Case As America Citizen Dies

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Ekiti State has recorded its first case of Coronavirus with the victim testing positive after driving an American citizen from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, who disclosed this in a statement Wednesday night, said the 27-year-old American has been confirmed dead.

Mrs. Yaya-Kolade revealed that the fatality has been officially confirmed by the Ekiti State Taskforce on COVID-19 led by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

She disclosed that a 38-year-old Ekiti indigene was suspected to have been infected while driving the American who was visiting Nigeria from Richmond, Virginia, United States, in company of his 31-year-old caregiver, a Nigerian female of Ekiti origin.

The Commissioner explained that the duo were driven by the confirmed case to Ibadan from the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos to Ibadan, where they stayed for two weeks after which they arrived Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on March 13.

The American, she said, fell ill a day after their arrival and was admitted into a private hospital from where he was rushed to a tertiary hospital where he died of complications of a yet-to-be determined illness.

The Commissioner said while the test run on the American was inconclusive, the result of the male driver was positive while that of the female caregiver was negative

The confirmed index case, she said, has been quarantined at the State Isolation Centre while the caregiver who tested negative has been placed under observation in self-isolation.

Dr. Yaya-Kolade said: “The Ekiti State Taskforce on Covid-19, headed by His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, can confirm that we have recorded an incidence of a Nigerian male, 38 years old, of Ekiti origin, who has tested positive to Covid-19.

“The confirmed case is suspected to have been infected while driving an American Caucasian, male, 27 years old, who was visiting Nigeria from Richmond, Virginia, USA in the company of his caregiver, a Nigerian female Age 31, of Ekiti origin.

“The American male and his Nigerian female caregiver, arrived Nigeria on 3rd March 2020 through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos. Preliminary investigations revealed that the pair were driven by our confirmed case to Ibadan, where they stayed for two weeks, and arrived Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State on 13th March, 2020.

“A day after their arrival, the American male fell ill and he was taken to a private hospital where he was referred to a tertiary hospital. Unfortunately, he died from complications of his illness.

“The hospital authorities alerted the State Taskforce and samples were taken from the American male as well as his two companions. The test for the male driver came back positive; the test for the female caregiver came back negative while the test for the American male was inconclusive.

“In line with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols, the Ekiti State Taskforce on Covid-19 has already quarantined the confirmed case on admission in the State Isolation Centre, while the caregiver who tested negative, is presently under observation in self-isolation.

“We have commenced the process of contact tracing, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) following the team’s itinerary since they landed in Nigeria on the 3rd of March 2020.

“We have also contacted the Oyo State Government since it was recorded that they stayed in Ibadan for two weeks before arriving Ekiti State.

“The confirmed case is very stable and not showing any symptoms while NCDC will repeat the test for the caregiver who is also in self-isolation.

“The Ekiti State Task Force on COVID-19 is following the NCDC Case Management Protocols with diligence. We want to urge Ekiti residents to stay calm and ensure they observe the prevention steps that are being publicised on all credible media.

“It is important to state that this likely index case was on a short visit and had not been in Ekiti State for up to 72 hours before his death.

“The Ekiti State Taskforce on Covid-19 advises residents to continue to take self-preventive measures by washing their hands with soap and water, covering their mouth when coughing or sneezing, observing social distancing and to alert the authorities of any suspected case by calling the 112 Emergency Number or 09062970434, 09062970435, 09062970436.

“The Government of Ekiti State will continue to update the public on new developments as necessary in our commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of all Ekiti residents.”

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Photos: Dakore Akande And Timini Lay Father To Rest

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Nollywood siblings Dakore Akande and Timini Egbuson have finally laid their father to rest.

Earlier this year, actor, Timini Egbuson, had announced the passing of his father. He said he never thought he would start the year by saying RIP to his dad, and promised to continue to make him proud.

His sister, Dakore Akande, expressed how heartbroken she is, yet glad that he was free from pain. She expressed gratitude for the memories and laughter, the legacy of excellence that he instilled in them, and his love for music and looking stylish.

 

Timini father's burial

 

Taking to his Instagram page, Timini shared photos from his low-key burial ceremony, which was attended only by family.

In his caption, he revealed that they said their final goodbyes as he bade his father farewell. The popular actor said his father’s strength and love will always guide them.

“We said our final goodbyes. Rest well, Papa. Your strength and love will always guide me”.

 

Timini father's burial

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US Mission Decries Horrific Kwara Massacre, Pledges Support For Tinubu’s Security Strategy

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The United States Mission in Nigeria has condemned the horrific and senseless attacks in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State that reportedly claimed over 160 lives.

In a statement released on February 6, 2026, the U.S. expressed its condolences and backed President Bola Tinubu’s immediate security and humanitarian response.

JomogNews reports that while the Nigerian Police Force said 75 persons were confirmed killed in the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local sources and international observers put the death toll significantly higher.

In a statement on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria described the attack as “horrific,” saying more than 160 people were feared dead, with many still unaccounted for.

“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence,” the statement read.

It welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to protect affected communities.

“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice,” the statement added.

The reaction adds to international condemnation of the attack, which had earlier drawn rebukes from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.

Tinubu had ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the creation of a new military command to lead the operation, following the assault on Woro and Nuku communities.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to Kaiama and surrounding communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground.

 

 

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Nigeria Will Not Bow To Extremism Following Kwara Attacks – President Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu has vowed that Nigeria will never surrender its people to terrorism or extremism following a deadly massacre in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday in a statement he personally signed and issued to State House correspondents.

The President, who described the attack as particularly disturbing, vowed that those responsible would be “pursued and brought to justice, just like other terrorists before them. They will not go scot-free.”

His statement read:

“Today, I met with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq @RealAARahman, to be debriefed on the incident in Kaiama LGA.

“I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror. Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation.

“Yesterday, I directed the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following the horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro. This new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.

“It is particularly disturbing that the victims were killed because they rejected an attempt at forced indoctrination. As I said, “It is commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue.” Nigeria will never surrender its people to extremism and terrorism masquerading as faith.

“I have further directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to the affected community and to ensure that those responsible for this atrocity are pursued and brought to justice, just like other terrorists before them. They will not go scot-free.

“I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. I also sympathise with the people and government of Kwara State. The Federal Government stands with you. We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror.”

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