About 24 hours after Nigeria recorded her first Coronavirus (COVID-19), foremost financial institution, Ecobank Transnational Inc., has condoled with the family of the deceased while also advising members of the public to stay alert, as the country intensifies effort to arrest the spread of the pandemic.
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The bank, in a statement, revealed that the deceased was at their Wuse II branch, Abuja, where he carried out certain activities prior to his demise.
It is unknown if the customer made close contact with several other customers in the banking hall. Ecobank, however, advised everyone that visited the bank on 12 March 2020, to go into self-isolation, in line with the directives of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.
The statement reads: “The COVID outbreak is a global pandemic. Nigeria, very sadly, this morning record its first death, which unfortunately is one of our valued customers. Our most sincere condolences to the family.
“Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the deceased was at our Wuse II, Abuja branch on 12 March 2020, twelve days ago. The deceased did not show any symptoms at the time of visit. In line with best standard and our COVID-19 response plans, we have, therefore, immediately temporarily closed the branch and all staff at the location have been put in mandatory self-isolation for 14 days, in full compliance with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, guidelines and to ensure their wellbeing and those of our customers. We have promptly informed the NCDC.
“We are further requesting, through this communication, that anyone who visited the branch between 12 March 2020, and now should take the necessary mandatory recommended step of self-isolation for 14 days and contact the NCDC. Should any of these persons fall sick or exhibit any symptoms, do immediately call NCDC on 080097000010 (Toll-Free Call Centre) for assistance and guidance.
“Since 01 March 2020, Ecobank had commenced preventive measures at all its locations. On 19 March 2020, we had advised our customers that as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, to use our digital platform – Ecobank Mobile App and USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, EcobakPay (Contactless payment), Rapidtransfer App, Ecobank OmniLite and Ecobank OmniPlus for their transactions or call our Contact Centre for support.
“The wellbeing of our staff, customers and community is of utmost importance to us and we remain committed to every effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria. We have evoked our business continuity plan and would be advising our customers of additional steps shortly.
“Let us all join to #StayWell and #StaySafe.”
As of Tuesday 24 March 2020, Nigeria, according to the NCDC, already has 42 cases of COVID-19.
See the statement below:
