The Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who tested positive for COVID-19 was in contact with diplomats from China, Russia, Algeria and Somalia within the last two weeks.
Onyeama is also a top member of Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
A peep into his diary also showed that he met with a Minister, Senator, Politicians and journalists from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) within the last 14 days before his COVID-19 positive status was revealed.
Here is the list of some of those he had contact with according to his diary.
Journalists and staff at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN); Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Alexey Shebarshin; and the outgoing Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, H.E. Zhou Pingjian.
Mr. Onyeama also had a meeting with the Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Nigeria, H.E. Hocine Latli; outgoing High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Nigeria, Maj-Gen. Wagar Ahmed Kingravi; and Ambassador Jamal Mohamed Barrow, Envoy of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The list also include Senator Aliyu Wamakko; Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi; and the Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Oyo State on Diaspora, Mrs. Bola Sarumi Aliyu.
FULL CONTACT TRACING
Following the development, Lagos-Nigeria based New Telegraph newspaper reported that all his aides have been directed to undergo COVID-19 tests immediately. But it is not only his aides and family members that might be at the risk of contracting the infection.
As Foreign Affairs Minister, Onyeama runs a very busy schedule on a daily basis, receiving ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic community.
He also grants audience to top government functionaries who consult him on issues relating to foreign relations and Nigerians in diaspora.
In the last two weeks, he held several meetings during which he met with a number of persons. A peep into his diary of engagements showed that on July 3, he also received H.E. Mr. Alexey Shebarshin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nigeria.
The previous day, Onyeama received a delegation from the Nigerian National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons led by the Federal Commissioner, Senator Basheer Mohammed, just as he participated in the fifth virtual Federal Executive Council (vFEC) meeting presided over by President Buhari in Abuja.
On July 6, he received a farewell visit from H.E. Zhou Pingjian, the outgoing Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria. On July 7, Onyeama was a guest at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum where he addressed correspondents of the news organisation on various issues concerning Nigeria’s foreign policy and relationships with other countries.
On July 13, Onyeama received H.E. Hocine Latli, Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Nigeria and they both discussed bilateral and multilateral issues. On July 14, Onyeama received the outgoing High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Nigeria, Maj-Gen. Wagar Ahmed Kingravi, in his office.
On the same day, the minister had received the Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Oyo State on Diaspora, Mrs. Bola Sarumi Aliyu, who visited him to thank him for his support in the fight against human trafficking.
He also received Ambassador Jamal Mohamed Barrow, Envoy of the Federal Republic of Somalia who visited him to discuss bilateral issues the same day.
On July 15, Onyeama also played host to Senator Aliyu Wamakko and Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
On July 16, he participated in the seventh virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Buhari at the State House, Abuja.
While the risk of contracting the infection is minimised in virtual meetings depending on the venue where one joined the meeting, physical meetings hold very high risks.
STATUS ANNOUNCEMENT
Onyeama disclosed his status via his official twitter handle, also announced that he had gone on isolation.
“Did my fourth COVID- 19 test yesterday (Saturday) at the first sign of a throat irritation and unfortunately, this time, it came back positive.
“That is life! Win some, loose some. Heading for isolation in a health facility and praying for the best,” he tweeted. Onyeama, a member of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has become the first member of President Muhamnadu Buhari’s cabinet to test positive to the dreaded coronavirus after the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, contracted the virus.
President Muhammadu Buhari has prayed for quick recovery of Onyeama. Buhari made his feelings known in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja.
The president described the minister as a strong pillar of his administration. He commended him for working tirelessly to stem the spread of Coronavirus in the country as a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Buhari also lauded Onyeama for ensuring the safety of Nigerians abroad. “The country is eternally grateful to Geoffrey Onyeama for his diligence in attracting international support for Nigeria to defeat the Coronavirus pandemic, and boost the economy. “I wish him speedy recovery,” he said.
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