SADLY!

‘We can tell you that 22 Nigerians have died of Coronavirus in Europe’ –Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe

…18 in UK, 3 in Italy and 1 in Spain

Not less than 25 other Nigerians are currently hospitalised due to infection from the virus

* ‘The figures were compiled from the information provided by the country chapters of the organisation around the world’- Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, chairman of NIDOE

BY KOLA OYEDOLA/DIPLOMATIC REPORTER, Italy

TWENTY-TWO NIGERIANS may have lost their precious lives to the dreaded Coronavirus in Europe as the pandemic cuts across every nation of the world causing havoc. Corroborating this view, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe, NIDOE made the declaration claiming 18 Nigerians so far died in United Kingdom, three in Italy and One in Spain.

According to NIDOE, twenty-two Nigerians have so far died of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) disease in Europe – 18 in UK, 3 in Italy and 1 in Spain. Moreover, no less than 25 others are currently hospitalised because of infection with the virus.

In a press statement issued by Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, chairman of NIDOE, the figures were compiled from the information provided by the country chapters of the organisation. Observers believe that the figures are most likely to be much higher since those cited were cases that were well known in the respective Nigerian communities.

Among the Nigerian victims of the pandemic in Europe are Dr Alfa Saadu, a UK-based retired medical doctor who died on Tuesday (31 March) in London. He was infected with the virus while volunteering in a hospital in London. Early in March another Nigerian, Saraju Olumide Okunuga, died in the Italian city of Modena. A pathologist, he was the president of Egbe Omo Yoruba in the Emilia Romagna region and the vice president of Yoruba National Community Italy.

Gbandi called on Nigerians in Europe to adhere to official social contact restrictions to protect themselves and their families, while encouraging community leaders – be they cultural, religious, political and social, to mobilise their members for mutual support at this critical period. NIDOE is currently carrying out a campaign, tagged NIDSAFE, to encourage Nigerians in Europe to adopt various self-help measures to support each other and also lend a helping hand to their compatriots at home as a result of the emergency situation caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

“NIDSAFE initiative is primarily conceived to support all measures already put in place in our respective countries of residence, and for the NIDOE country Chair or representative to:
1. Keep a close track of the situation of all Nigerians in their respective countries – both NIDO and non-NIDO members
2. Maintain a very close contact with officials of the Nigerian Embassy in their respective countries
3. Disseminate authentic and up-to-date situation report in their various countries and its implications for Nigeria and Nigerians
4. Assist as far as possible with official facilitation that requires the intervention of the authorities when such help is intentionally or unintentionally missing and to communicate same to designated Federal Government authorities for intervention when necessary
5. Prepare the Diaspora for the eventual social and economic long-term fallout of the COVID-19 crisis and possible consequences to homeland development.
6. Begin a Diaspora professional mapping in our respective countries for eventual and effective engagement with our respective countries of residence and designated state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations back home in full preparation of Nigeria and Nigerians for the long-term effects of the COVID-19 crisis.”

Nigerians in the Diaspora are urged to report a case of Coronavirus infection in their community or an emergency situation connected to the pandemic to the following WhatsApp Numbers:

Name of Country Chair	Country	WhatsApp No.
Adeyemi S. Aderemi	NIDO Portugal	+351 920 285 264
Andrew Iduh	NIDO Spain	+34 602 16 36 27
CEC	NIDO Poland	+49 170 98 78 494
CEC	NIDO Denmark	+49 170 98 78 494
Dr. Johnson Odibo	NIDO Swiss	+41 78 691 14 76
Dr. E. Oparaocha	NIDO Grecce	+30 694 884 3304
CEC	NIDO Turkey	+49 170 98 78 494
Dr. Felix Otusile	NIDO Ukraine	+380 93 664 7156
Dr. Ibekwe A. Lawrence	NIDO Italy	+39 347 462 8169
Dr. Joy Chidinma Opara	NIDO Georgia	+995 574 87 00 66
Dr. Rosalyn Dressman	NIDO Germany	+49 162 4336964
Engr. Obinna Ugwu	NIDO UK North	+44 7713 172239
Engr Smart Ogunbunmi	NIDO Austria	+43 650 7627861
Engr. Solomon Ogbaji	NIDO France	+33 6 27 64 25 31
Ini Eno Udo	NIDO Azerbaijan	+994 50 455 47 21
Jossy Chinedu Ibe	NIDO Slovakia	+421 940 376 654
Michael Adekeye	NIDO Belux	+32 493 87 96 81
CEC	NIDO Ireland	+353 87 757 8538
Mr. Ernest Ngadiuba	NIDO Sweden	+46 70 415 83 82
Mr. Julius Nwankpa	NIDO Netherlands	+31 6 54247299
CEC	NIDO Finland	+49 170 98 78 495
Rex Essenowo	NIDO Russia	+7 925 518-18-36
Sir Chibuzo Ubochi	NIDO UK South	+44 7949 592489
NIDOE HQ	Central Exec. Council	+353 87 757 8538

The NIDOE chairman assured that the organisation was committed to representing the interests of Nigerians at all times and appealed for greater support for it to enable it fulfil its mission.

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