THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
A 25-year-old graduating Nigerian student identified as Bassey Offiong has died after contracting coronavirus (COVID-19) in the city of Detroit, US. He was expected to graduate with a chemical engineering degree at the Western Michigan University in a few weeks but died Saturday, 28 March, after allegedly having been turned down several times for a coronavirus test in the Kalamazoo area while living off-campus, despite having fever, fatigue and shortness of breath – the symptoms of the coronavirus disease.
According to his sister, Asari Offiong, the deceased was suffering from fever, fatigue and shortness of breath but was turned away when he requested a test for coronavirus. He was told he had bronchitis. Bassey had no known prior health issues
“I told him to ask them to test him. He said they refused to test him. One medical staffer told him he had bronchitis,” Asari said. “I know God has him in his presence. He loved God.”
Before his death, Bassey was hospitalized aand spent the last week on a ventilator in their intensive care unit.
Asari spoke highly of her brother, calling him a “gentle giant” who had big dreams. He aspired to start his own organic makeup line with L’Oréal. “He’s just someone who thinks so big,” she said.
President of Western Michigan University, Edward Montgomery, said Bassey was someone with “enormous potential”. “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our students, Bassey Offiong,” Montgomery said in a statement. “On behalf of the entire Bronco community, I want to extend my deepest condolences to his entire family… They are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Early in March another Nigerian, 64-year-old 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.
Dr Okunuga was elected twice councillor in Modena, where he lived for 35 years.
According to media reports, no less than 10 Africans, including music legend Manu Dibango, have died of the disease in Europe since the outbreak of the disease.
Austin Ohaegbu
