Matilda Omonaiye/
Mohammed Fawehinmi, the eldest son of late Gani Fawehinmi, reportedly died from COVID-19 complications.
He died on August 11, after a brief illness at the age of 52.
Mohammed’s burial had been delayed due to the family’s insistence on conducting an autopsy.
Giving an update to what led to his demise, Saheed Fawehinmi, the younger brother of the deceased, who spoke on behalf of the family, disclosed at a news briefing at his residence that he died from COVID-19 complication.
Fawehinmi said the family could not immediately disclose the cause of the death because they wanted the information to be based on factual medical details.
He said his late brother had an underlying ailment. He was on a “wheelchair for 19 years, being immobile on a wheelchair led to weight gain,” he said.
“Today, however, we are in a position to inform you that our dear brother died from COVID-19 related complications.
“Arising from this, we want to urge all Nigerians to take necessary precautions to avoid being infected by the deadly disease, including, but not limited to taking the required doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
“The public should ensure the wearing of face masks, regular hand sanitising, hand washing with soap and maintaining social distance amidst the crowd,” he said.
He said Mr Mohammed would be buried on August 27 at the late Gani Fawehinmi’s compound in Ondo State a brief funeral service.
He said the service of songs and the night of tributes for their late brother would hold on Wednesday at the Archbishop Vining Cathedral in Ikeja from 4pm to 7pm.
“The two events will be divided into two halves. The night of tributes will enable friends, associates, partners, comrades, human rights activists, pro-democracy, trade union and socialist groups to pay their tribute,” he said.
“We welcome those who will like to identify with us during these ceremonies but in view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic we would ideally appreciate if the crowd is limited.”
He urged the government to step up public enlightenment on the deadly disease, so that many Nigerians, especially those whose immune systems could easily be compromised because of underlying illnesses, could be more careful.
They also called on the government across all levels to invest more in the healthcare system and put an end to the ongoing strike by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors.
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