By Dele Moses, Ilorin
Offa Descendants Union, (ODU), a community association of the indigenes of Offa town in Kwara State has urged the indigenes not to blame one another over the spread of coronavirus to the state.
Offa is the hometown of Muideen Obanimomo, a patient at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) suspected of coronavirus infection but who died and was buried without his sample taken to test him of the virus.
His wife and another person who was said to have also had contact with him later tested positive of the virus and have been quarantined.
The ODU, in a statement issued by its national president, Dr Funsho Oladipo, said the people of Offa should not apportion blame but remain united for the development of the town.
Oladipo said Obanimomo was a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic and not a villain as was being portrayed.
He also expressed solidarity of the ODU with a senior consultant at the UITH, Professor Alakija Salami, who the hospital management has suspended for allegedly being unethical in the admission and management of the deceased Obanimomo and in the release of his corpse for burial
Oladipo who said that Offa is being labelled a possible epicentre of the COVID-19 in the state urged people of the community to totally comply with lockdown directive of the state government and submit to isolation arrangement so that the community does not become the epicentre.
His statement reads: “We are at a cross road as it were. Seemingly, Offa is today a town at the receiving end albeit not of our own doing.
“At this moment of our vulnerability, let us rise as one people with common vision and upturn this to our collective strength and advantage.
“The darkest moment of the night is just before the dawn. Offa will surely shine brighter than hitherto.
“In the light of the above, let us see this unfortunate situation as our tipping point to a higher glory for our dear town.
“This is not the time to apportion blame neither the time to hold back our individual or corporate responsibilities to this great community.
“Our dear Late Muideen Obanimomo is WRONGLY portrayed a villain. He is just a VICTIM of PANDEMIC. Offa sympathize with his family and friends. We are fully behind you.
“To our dear Prof Kazeem Salami, be rest assured of our support. You are not left alone.
“The PANDEMIC is still on, every Omo Offa MUST observe the LOCKDOWN absolutely.
“Covid-19 is NOT a death sentence. Mortality rate is low. The high, the mighty and the low have it.
“We are today being labelled a possible epicenter in Kwara. And that’s why we need to submit to the isolation arrangements in place and come out NOT as the epicenter. It is for the benefit of ALL the contacts and rest of the population.
“This time calls for a strong United front. Kindly note that a house divided against itself can’t stand.”
