By Olukayode Idowu, Maiduguri
The Borno State high powered Committee on COVID-19 seems to have shied away from reporters and public scrutiny for fear that they may be compelled to divulge the cause of death of prominent indigenes of the state.
As at the time of the last press briefing on Wednesday, the committee was bombarded with enquiries on what could have been responsible for the death of the Shehu of Bama, Kyari El-Kanemi.
The Shehu’s cause of death, which the committee is trying to hide is suspected to be as a result of COVID-19.
The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Salisu Kwaya-Bura, a medical doctor, hiding under the secrecy of client’s health condition, evaded giving confirmation on the cause of death of the late Shehu, despite the fact that as a Commissioner of health he holds it a sacred duty to protect the life of generality of the people (public health) of the state.
Reporters were not impressed with the commissioner’s tactics especially as some of them few days before his death had interviewed him in person, and were afraid of their health status as the cause of death were being shrouded in mystery. Many of them are considering going on self isolation.
They became more worried as the government began the contact tracing of all those who met with the late Chief, though he was not officially declared to have died of the pandemic.
Just when the issue of the Shehu was gaining momentum, a lawmaker, also died of causes suspected to be from COVID-19. Again, his cause of death was kept secret by the state.
With the death of another high profile indigene of Borno State, the first civilian governor of old Borno (present day Yobe and Borno), Alhaji Mohammed Goni, journalists were bracing up to ask the committee for the cause of death.
This could not however be achieved as the committee refused to attend any briefing since then.
The governor of the state, had earlier tasked the committee to ensure that the media were briefed daily.
But in the last two days, the committee had shied from the media though the figure of death and positive cases continued to rise.
This has made the people of the state apprehensive of the correct situation of health in the state and whether the committee has anything to hide.
Journalists who gathered at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House for the second day awaiting the arrival of the committee members were told to disperse as there was not going to be any briefing.
They had waited from between 5-5:30pmbefore the usual Master of Ceremonies for the occasion Mr. Lanre Obadiah, a Special Assistant to the Governor announced that from all indications, the briefing will not be holding.
He however gave the assurance that the briefing will certainly hold on Saturday and expressed regret for whatever inconveniences that the failure to address them might have caused.