NDDC: Our late Executive Director, Etang, tested positive to COVID-19
The Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has confirmed that the Executive Director of the agency, Elder Ibanga Bassey Etang, died of complications arising from coronavirus infection.
The agency, which, in a statement by Charles Obi Odili, its Director, Corporate Affairs, said it secured the authority of the family to declare his status at the point of his demise, therefore appealed that the passage should not be politicised but that they and the family of the diseased be left to mourn the man with dignity.
Full text of te statement reads:
The Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has been consulting with the family of Elder Ibanga Bassey Etang who passed away in the early hours of Thursday, May 28, 2020.
The family has authorized the Commission to announce that the late executive director tested positive to COVID-19.
The Rivers State Ministry of Health has written to the Commission to also confirm the cause of death resulting from complications attributable to COVID-19.
The ministry has, therefore, directed the Commission to order all management staff to go into self-isolation for a period of 14 days with effect from today, while seeking the cooperation of the organisation in tracing staff and contractors who have had close contact with the deceased.
During the meeting with the family, they expressed fervent desire, that the death of the Executive Director should not be politicised, wishing to be left alone to mourn with dignity. This also is the position of the Commission.
We pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of our Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Elder lbanga Bassey Etang.
Charles Obi Odili
Director, Corporate Affairs
May 2, 2020.
