Newsbreak: Yoruba leader in Canada dies of Coronavirus
By Yusuf Alaba
It was a sad day for Nigerians in Canada this weekend. The news came in the morning today that the leader of Egbe Omo Yoruba in Canada, Dr Olumide Okunuga has passed on. Reports made available to Irohinoodua indicated that he died of Coronavirus in Canada. He was aged 63. He is the first known case of a Nigerian to have died of Coronavirus. Okunuga was the President of Egbe Omo Yoruba, Emila Romagna and Vice President of Yoruba National Community in Italy.
“We lost a great man this weekend. He was an affectionate and decent man who lived for others through his meritorious services since he left Nigeria for Canada many years ago”, Mr Abiodun Gbadamosi, an official of Egbe Omo Yoruba in North America told Irohinoodua today. He said Dr Okunuga was diagnosed to have contacted the disease in Canada, a country who has recently been hit by the deadly virus. This week, Sophie Greoire Tradeuu, wife of the Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau tested positive for Coronavirus after returning from a trip to London, a statement from the Prime Minister’s office stated. “She will remain in isolation for the time being. She is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precuations and her symptoms remains mild,” the official statement had said.
Sources said Dr Okunuga remains were asked to be recognized from a distance by his daughter, Dr. Bolanle Okunuga, whose mother is a Caucasian of Italian origin. Okunuga was a pathologist, and a anative of Ikenne Remo in Ogun State. He was also a two time Councillor for Modena in Italy where he had lived for 35 years.
Irohinoodua heard that the Canadian health officials said his body would not be released but had to be cremated. “His death has left the Yoruba community in Italy totally devastated. We have lost a very great man who is in the apex of his career,” an official of the Egbe Omo Yoruba who does not wish to be named told Irohinoodua.