Shade Okoya, wife of billionaire industrialist and the Aare of Lagos Chief Razak Akanni Okoya, has debunked claims of guests who attended the 80th birthday party of the Nigerian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Justice George Oguntade on March 10, 2020 going into self-isolation after coronavirus test carried out on some prominent Nigerians came back positive.
Earlier today, there were reports of some prominent Nigerians including Okoya and his wife, Chief Olusegun Osoba, a Nigerian journalist and politician, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and his wife, Bamidele; a veteran musician, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi; a popular businesswoman, Bola Shagaya and other prominent Nigerians going into self-isolation after the party.
Punch also reported that Chief Osoba confirmed that two people who attended the party had died. He however added that unnecessary alarm was being raised.
Osoba reportedly said;
“Yes, I was at the party and it is true that two people had died but a lot of unnecessary alarm is being raised, although, I sympathise with the families of those who died.
“It does not follow that they contracted the virus at the party, they probably might have been carrying it in their bodies and manifested soon after the party.
“But I was there and the party took place 15 days ago and if there is any virus in my body it should have manifested by now. I came back last Thursday almost a week today and as I landed I granted an interview to TVC at the airport, considering the action that the Lagos State Government has been taken, I announced that I will be going into self- isolation immediately.
“I have been in self-isolation since I returned from the UK and I have had no symptom, no cough, no fever nor itches in my throat and I have been keeping to the rules as given by the government of Lagos State that all of us who arrived from abroad should isolate ourselves for 14 days.”
However reacting to the report, Shade Okoya stated that none of the guests in attendance have shown any sign or symptoms of the deadly coronavirus. She also described the report as a “misinformation”.
She wrote;
Dear all,
It has come to my attention that there are several false reports floating around on social media regarding H.E Adesola George Oguntade’s recent 80th birthday celebration held in London on the 10th March 2020.
My husband , myself and family members plus all our close friends were all in attendance and I can confirm that we are all well and fine after 16 days of attending .
To the best of my knowledge and findings none of the guests in attendance have shown any signs or symptoms of the deadly Coronavirus as I text this today , the misinformation being circulated on social media lacks all credibility and its aim is for blackmail purpose only .
This is simply fake news and i am using this platform to debunk it .
I urge bloggers and social media influencers to use their platforms wisely in order not to spread panic or give wrong information to their followers .
Covid-19 is a global pandemic which is facing all nations at the moment , and during this time especially it’s important to promote kindness and positivity and wish well to everyone .
I am overwhelmed by the love and concern shown by all who have called and messaged me and I pray and hope all will be back to normal soon .
I urge that God will answer all prayers during this period and let this big phase in the history of the nation pass very soon . Amen .
