- First Bank: We Mourn As We Shut Down Kano Office
By Hamilton Nwosa(Head, The New Diplomat’s Business and data tracking desk)
A Regional Manager with First Bank of Nigeria in Kano, Abdullahi Lawal has died of suspected complications arising from COVID -19 infection. Family members revealed that the late banker who suddenly took ill on Friday was first admitted at a private hospital from where he was transferred to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, within the State for proper treatment.
Family members who described the late regional manager as a diligent, committed and strong family member in his early 50s, said the deceased was initially rushed to a private hospital having exhibited symptoms of high fever, cough and respiratory challenges.
According to family members, “he was placed on oxygen on arrival at the private clinic and the treatment was discontinued after he displayed no signs of stability.”
However, in a video that has gone viral, a certain Hajiya Salma Ahmed, who said she is a mother- in-law of the deceased, came hard in her condemnation of officials of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for allegedly being insensitive to their plight at a time they needed help. She said: “the family had called the “Kano NCDC” line several times but couldn’t get through.
“They finally got to “Abuja NCDC” and were assured that officials in Kano would visit the patient to take his samples. But no one visited up till my son-in-law died in agony.”
However, First Bank in its official reaction said “First Bank mourns as we confirm the loss of our staff, Abdullahi Lawal who until his passing worked at our Kano Main Branch.”
The statement reads in full: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time as we do all that is necessary to support them. We ask that all necessary courtesies be extended to the family so they can grieve privately. As a responsible corporate organization, FirstBank has been at the fore-front of the concerted efforts against the coronavirus pandemic alongside others. We have robust protocols in place including practicing social distancing, frequently disinfecting our buildings and locations even whilst ensuring services are available through our alternative channels such as our ATMs and other digital platforms.
“We have immediately therefore, shut down access to the premises as we disinfect the entire location and ask all staff and customers who may have been in contact with our late colleague to follow the NCDC guidelines and self-isolate. We will, as a matter of course, extend all possible support to staff and customers at this difficult time. Our thoughts are with the family he left behind and indeed with the wider First Bank family who mourn this loss deeply at this time. We remain committed to protecting the health and safety of all staff, customers and host communities, as together the fight against coronavirus will be won.”
