Kogi-born ECOWAS protocol officer dies of Ebola

An official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission who had primary contact with late Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer, has died.

The death of the official – 36-year-old Jatto Asihu Abdulqudir – was announced by the commission on Tuesday night.

Abdulquir was born in Okene, Kogi State, and was a 2005 product of Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State.

Announcing the death “with deep regret”, the commission identified Abdulqudir as a protocol assistant, who was among those who assisted the Liberian delegate Sawyer to a regional meeting, before his eventual passing from Ebola at a Lagos hospital on 25th July 2014.

“Mr. Abdulqudir had been under quarantine following that sad incident,” read a statement from the commission.

“The commission wishes to use this opportunity to express its gratitude to Nigerian government authorities and others who contributed to managing the late official while under quarantine.

“The management of the commission wishes to commiserate with Mr. Abdulqudir’s family and colleagues and prays for the repose of his soul.

“Before this sad event, the commission, working in collaboration with Nigerian health authorities, had disinfected all the facilities of the ECOWAS Lagos Liaison Office as part of precautionary measures to safeguard the health, safety and security of staff members, and will continue to monitor the situation.”

It said it had also intensified awareness campaign among staff on the deadly virus and was using the opportunity to invoke the spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance.

“The commission wishes to reassure staff of all community institutions all over the entire region that it is taking all necessary steps to guarantee their health and safety,” the statement continued.

“Furthermore, management enjoins all staff members and community citizens in general to intensify the observance of personal hygiene. They should also report any suspected case to health facilities and seek medical advice or attention for the effective containment and defeat of the Ebola disease.

“On the directive of regional leaders, ECOWAS has already set up a Solidarity Fund to fight the disease and has solicited the support   contribution of Member States and development partners to the Fund to rid the region of the virus.

“The ECOWAS Commission wishes to reiterate its continued commitment to support Member States in confronting this deadly virus.”

Abdulqudir’s death means three people have now died in Nigeria of Ebola, following the death of Sawyer in July as well as last week’s death of a nurse who attended to him in Lagos.