TELL Magazine

The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has prayed for the quick recovery of his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa, and his wife, Edith, who on Wednesday tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). In a statement in Benin, Obaseki sent his prayers to the Okowas and and expressed confidence that they would defeat the virus and come out triumphant. One of the governor’s daughters had earlier tested positive for the virus.

The governor had announced their COVID-19 status on Wednesday via his twitter handle “My wife and I have tested positive for COVID-19. We are well and continuing with our isolation/medication. We thank you all for your continued prayers for us and our daughter”. In a statement, his chief press secretary, Olisa Ifeajika said the development was sequel to tests conducted on them after a few days of self-isolation, which they went into on Friday after one of their daughters tested positive for the virus. Ifeajika said the state’s first family were stable and had commenced necessary treatment, and further isolation.

He said the governor thanked Deltans for their prayers for his family, and called for continued supplications for all patients undergoing treatment for the pandemic. The governor assured that his administration would not relent in its efforts at combating the virus in the state, and urged the public to support the government in that regard by complying with prescribed protocols by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Reiterating that “COVID-19 is real”, Okowa noted that “The rate is increasing in our state and the virus is taking the lives of some of our people. I therefore again call on every Deltan to observe the protocols on the virus while in public, to curb further spread of the virus, especially in the communities”.

Identifying with his brother governor, Obaseki said in a statement, “I received the news of the coronavirus status of my brother and fellow governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife, with hope of their quick recovery from the virus. The governor has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight in Delta State and we know that he may have contracted the virus on the line of duty, serving the good people of Delta State. I know the governor to be a man of faith and we trust that he would get well soon to continue on his enviable development trajectory in the state.”

Obaseki said “Governor Okowa’s family and Delta people should be assured that their brothers and sisters in Edo State are in fervent prayers for the quick recovery of the governor and his lovely wife”.