Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, lost his half brother, Haroun Hamzat, to COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Haroun, a medical doctor, reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 before his death, his colleagues disclosed on Wednesday. He was 37 years old.
The Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State chapter, confirmed Haroun’s death in a statement made available to our correspondent on Wednesday.
The statement titled, ‘NMA Lagos mourns’, read in part, “It’s a dark moment in the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State, as we announce with deep regret the death of our very young colleague, Dr Haroun Hamzat. It’s “sunset at dawn” as he was just 37 years old.
“He worked as a medical officer at one of the PHCs under Orile Agege LCDA until his demise.
“We commiserate with his immediate family, friends, associates, colleagues, and staff of Lagos State PHC Board and indeed the medical fraternity of Lagos State. We pray against such premature deaths in our fold.
“May the Almighty God grant his family and all of us, the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss, Amen. Adieu to our Hippocratic Brother, Dr Haroun Hamzat. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had announced 1,354 new cases of COVID-19 in the country on Tuesday.
The agency said 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory recorded the new infections with Lagos State having more cases with 712 and the FCT, 145 cases.
Plateau recorded 117 new cases, Kwara 81; Kaduna State 54; Sokoto 39; Oyo 38 and Rivers had 36.
Gombe had 21 newly infected people; Enugu 20; Akwa Ibom 16; Bauchi and Delta 14 each and Ebonyi reported 13.
Anambra registered nine newly infected residents; Taraba and Edo, eight each; Kano State, three; Osun and Ekiti two each and Ogun had one.