Boss Picks

Coronavirus in Nigeria! The Scare, The Measures

Published

6 years ago

February 29, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It may have been expected, but the shock it generated across the nation, especially Lagos and Ogun states where the index has lasting contacts, was nothing short of devastating. It was the unceremonious arrival of the dreaded Coronavirus disease, christened COVID-19 into the Nigerian territory.

On Friday, February 28, 2020, Nigerians woke to the partial shock of the arrival of the two months old world scourge, which has so far defied the technological know-how of highly advanced countries where it has made transit, chief among them its originating country, China.

Various conspiracy theories, crazy as it sounds, have been circulating that the virus somehow escaped from a Chinese lab, either by accident or design. But scientists studying its genetic code have debunked the notion as categorically untrue, linking its source to bats. They were of the opinion that it probably jumped to another animal, which passed it on to humans.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause disease in animals. Seven, including the new virus, have made the jump to humans, but most just cause cold-like symptoms. However, the COVID-19 is not as severe as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) having killed more than 1,500 people between them since 2002.

Supposedly, Coronavirus is believed to have originated in a “wet market” in Wuhan which sold both dead and live animals including fish and birds.

The animal source of the latest outbreak has not yet been identified, but the original host is thought to be bats, which are host to a wide range of zoonotic viruses including Ebola, HIV and rabies. Bats were not sold at the Wuhan market but assumed to have infected live chickens or other animals sold there.

The disease has now spread to over 30 countries around the world, including popular south-east Asian holiday destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia as well as United Kingdom, Italy, Iran, Algeria and the latest, Nigeria.

Nigeria happened to be the first sub-Saharan Africa country to be hit by the Coronavirus. The virus was brought into the country via an Italian national who works in Nigeria and flew into the commercial city of Lagos from Milan on February 25.

The Commissioner for Health in Ogun State where the index was first restricted, Dr Tomi Coker, said the victim, whose name was not given, fell ill in a cement company in Ewekoro, where he visited for a business engagement from Italy.

The 44-year-old Italian victim is a consultant to the Lafarge, Ewekoro factory.

Following the incident, the state government says 28 people who had contact with the Italian victim have been identified and quarantined as a measure to curtail the spread.

The government also said the firm where the victim visited in Ewekoro has been shut down.

The governor said efforts were on to identify more contacts to curb the spread of the disease.

“The particular company in question has been practically shut down and they have set up two isolation centres within the premises.

“They have identified all those that have been in contact with this index, totalling about 28. All those 28 people have been quarantined,” the governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun said,

The discovery of the disease in Nigeria has put to test the well promoted readiness the Nigerian government claimed to have. Prior to confirmation of its presence in Nigeria, the government has boasted of its readiness to tackle the scourge, having earmarked a huge budget in anticipation. But critics, including the senate has said the country has failed its citizens as the index beat security check at the airport to gain entry into the country.

But be that as it may, the CEO of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Mr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has continued to talk tough, maintaining that the country is more than capable of dealing with coronavirus.

“We successfully managed Ebola and we manage outbreaks all the time and are currently managing Lassa fever. We have a strong team that is used to doing this.”

Collaborating Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire’s assertion that the victim did not escape scrutiny at the airport, but showed no symptoms as at the time of test, Ihekweazu said the man was screened on arrival at the airport, however, he presented no symptoms at the time, which is why the temperature scanners at the airport did not detect he was ill. It must be noted that the index fell ill after over 24 hours he arrived in Nigeria. He stayed at an hotel on arrival before travelling to Ogun State the next day.

“Screening is not a fool proof method as the virus has an incubation period of four to five days,” he added.

The NCDC boss praised the Nigeria doctors for their resilience, saying the speed with which Nigeria identified and confined the patient is a sign the country is prepared to deal with the outbreak. The scenario is quite different from what obtained in Iran and Italy where widespread contact has been made before confining.

Meanwhile, authorities have obtained the passenger manifest from the Turkish airline the victim flown just as many of his contacts have been tracked and quarantined.

In giving hope to Nigerians, the Health Minister assured that there was no need for alarm as Nigeria was well prepared to deal with the disease. He said that the country had four laboratories where patients can be tested and at least 60 doctors have been deployed to Lagos’s main airport to support ongoing screening effort.

In his reaction, the president of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Francis Faduyile, expressed fears over the safety of health workers while directing its members to treat every single case as a possible coronavirus infection.

Medical experts has said that cleanliness more than face masks and hand gloves remain the best precautionary measure against the rampaging disease. They maintain that frequent hand washing with soap and water and alcohol-based sanitizers are some of the key ways of ensuring infectious diseases such as coronavirus do not spread.

In 2014, Nigeria contained the spread of Ebola virus within its territory, which killed about 11, 000 persons across West Africa. The World Health Organization recently said that an outbreak of coronavirus in Africa would hit the continent harder than China.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 2,800 people worldwide, the vast majority in mainland China.

There have been more than 83,000 global cases, with infections in every continent except Antarctica.

In all, the governors of the two states, Lagos and Ogun, Mr Babajide Danwo-Olu and Mr. Dapo Abiodun, have risen to the challenge, and are leaving no stones unturned to see that the virus did not spread further than the present much hopes abound that the Italian victim will recover as his condition is ‘stable’.

Below is a picturesque demonstration for staying safe:

Diagram courtesy of BBC

Boss Picks

The Incredible World of Capt. Segun Sotomi @45

Published

2 weeks ago

December 6, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

If there is a limit to paying dues as regards affecting humanity, Captain Emmanuel Adesegun Sotomi, has done absolutely divine, excellently well and incredibly outstanding. And he is only 45 years. Yes, December 5, 2025 was his birthday.

A typical all-rounder, Sotomi is a blend of academic, field and the unthinkable. He is a generalissimo in every field he has found himself; enterprise, camaraderie, business of 9-5 or flying for commercial purposes or pleasure. Sotomi is the future.

A brief of his adapted career trend reveals that Sotomi has seen it all, achieved it all, and can be defined as human technology transfer in the way he has mentored a great number of youths and competitors and contemporaries alike.

Philanthropism; yes, a lot of folks, who know him are full of testimonies of his open handedness, his love to rescue the needy and lift the downtrodden are phenomenal. He is a lover of humanity, a true legend in discipline.

Soft spoken and well read, Sotomi is a dream of every growing youth, who planned to be thoroughly established before the golden age. He is a role model.

Below is a derived biodata of the fast rising pilot-cum-entrepreneur…

Captain Segun Sotomi is a skilled commercial pilot, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He attended the University of Lagos before going to top-tier aviation schools in South Africa, Canada, and the United States to obtain his pilot licenses. He is currently a captain with Gulf Helicopters Qatar, a subsidiary of Qatar Petroleum.

Capt. Sotomi is licensed to operate both airplanes and helicopters [Licenses include SACAA PL (Airplane); CPL / FAA ATPL (Helicopter)]. His previous work experience includes Nest Oil, where he flew offshore.

He is also the founder and CEO of Southern Shore Integrated Services LTD, an offshore aviation logistics support company, and has a passion for working with, and empowering youths.

Captain Sotomi has served in several management positions in his flying career, and also sits on the board of different top-tier companies.

He is an avid polo player, and is happily married with children.

Happy 45th birthday!

Boss Picks

Meet Muhammad Ashfaq Hussain, CEO at Profound Realtors

Published

2 weeks ago

December 6, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It takes hard work to work harder. It takes achievement to attract more achievements. And so, at Profound Realtors, hard work and achievements have remained the other of the day, creating leverage for more affordable housings clients in and out of Dubai, and unleashing comfort and peace of mind never experienced anywhere else.

The success of Profound Realtors, the credit it has enjoyed across the world, and the goodies it still have in store for as many that are making up their minds to transact concluding businesses of homes and lands with the company, is attributed to a dedicated team of workers, led by the ever trustworthy Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Ashfaq Hussain, a seasoned real estate personal with experience spanning years.

Mr Hussain is a handful when it comes to service delivery, customer satisfaction and accountability. His human face to every transaction has placed Profound on the great map of trust, honesty, affordability, reliability and comfort.

One just need to purchase from Profound to prove the grace of service delivery.

Ashfaq Hussain is further presented as a colossus in putting smiles on the faces of clients and every other person he comes in contact with in the entrepreneurial journey.

His biodata is presented as follows:

With over 20 years of experience in Dubai’s dynamic real estate market, Mr. Ashfaq Hussain is a seasoned professional who has witnessed the evolution of the industry from its early leasing days to the launch of freehold properties in 2004. Hailing from a humble background in Pakistan, Ashfaq moved to Dubai with a dream and a determination to succeed—and through hard work and unwavering dedication, he has turned that dream into reality.

Ashfaq’s expertise and passion for real estate have earned him a reputation as one of Dubai’s most trusted realtors. His exceptional track record includes brokering high-value transactions of villas and luxury mansions on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, catering to investors and celebrities from around the globe.

Currently, Ashfaq manages one of the largest celebrity property portfolios in Dubai, and his name is synonymous with excellence in the industry. He is well-regarded by leading developers such as Emaar, Nakheel, Damac, and Dubai Properties.

As the founder of Profound Realtors, Ashfaq now leads a team of experienced real estate professionals, providing top-notch services in luxury property sales, leasing, and investment consultancy. His deep knowledge of the market and dedication to client success continue to make him a respected figure in Dubai’s real estate landscape.

Profound is the name when it comes to affordable houses in Dubai.

Boss Picks

Ghana’s Inna Mariam Patty Called to the Bar of England & Wales with Distinction

Published

3 weeks ago

November 27, 2025

Eric

Distinguished Ghanaian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Inna Mariam Patty, was officially called to the Bar of England and Wales at Lincoln’s Inn on November 25, 2025, graduating with Distinction from the University of Law.

In an extraordinary show of support, guests travelled from Ghana, Dubai, Uganda, South Africa, the United States of America and across the United Kingdom to celebrate this landmark achievement at both the Call ceremony and the private dinner celebration held afterwards.

Among the high-profile attendees were Miss Patty’s parents, Ambassador Youssif Patty and Mrs. Jameelah Patty, and her siblings, as well as: H.E. Mrs. Zita Benson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, and Mr. Bobby Benson.

Others were Mr. Kwabena Osei-Danquah, Chief of Staff, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, Ms. Eileen Baguma, HR & Corporate Affairs Director, EACOP Uganda; Ms. Pihillipa Pepera, CEO of Pippas Health Centre, Accra; Mrs. Vangie Mari Patty, Regional Engineering Manager, Puma Energy; General Manager, EIB Network; and Founder & President, Women in Sustainability Africa.

The dignitaries joined family, friends, and colleagues who travelled internationally to honour Miss Patty’s distinguished academic achievement and her transition into the legal profession.

Speaking after the ceremony, Patty remarked: “This milestone is a continuation of my purpose—to use law as a tool for empowerment, justice, and social impact, especially for women and vulnerable communities.”

Patty is widely celebrated for her leadership as CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana Ltd and Chairwoman of the Miss Ghana Foundation, through which she has driven initiatives in education, healthcare, and community development. She also serves as a Board Member of FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital.

Her exceptional career has earned her recognitions including:

Overall African Woman Achiever (CSR Consultant), African Women Awards 2023
Top 50 Young CEOs in Ghana (Avance Media, 2023)
International Arch of Europe Award (2017)

Patty’s call to the Bar marks a powerful blend of entrepreneurial excellence, philanthropy, and legal advocacy—positioning her as a rising legal voice and social impact leader for Ghana and beyond.

ABOUT INNA MARIAM PATTY

Inna Mariam Patty is a Ghanaian business executive, lawyer, and philanthropist. She is CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana Limited, Chairwoman of the Miss Ghana Foundation, and a Board Member of FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital. Patty holds an MSc in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics, as well as a GDL and BPC with Distinction from the University of Law.