Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has finally tested negative for coronavirus after four weeks on self-isolation.
The governor made the announcement on Wednesday through his official Twitter handle.
“I am delighted to report today, that after nearly four weeks of observing a strict medical regime, I have now received the all-clear after two consecutive negative test results,” he wrote.
“I thank Almighty Allah for His grace and mercy. I also acknowledge with gratitude the massive outpouring of sympathy, prayers and public support that followed the disclosure of the infection.
“My family not only went through the trauma of potentially losing a member, but also the risk of being infected as well. The entire family has been supportive as usual, while my many friends and colleagues from all over the world have sent their prayers and best wishes.
“I wish to thank the diligent medical personnel of our Ministry of Health and the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital who managed my case for their dedicated and professional care.
“It was cheering to see the determined efforts of our Covid-19 Task Force chaired by the Deputy Governor, the officials of our Ministry of Health ably led by the Commissioner and our security/enforcement agencies, to manage and contain the spread of Covid-19 in the state.”
He also thanked his deputy, Hadiza Balarabe, “for her reassuring leadership of our team in my absence.”
He said: “Our senior officials have demonstrated admirable commitment & the flexibility to provide governance in circumstances that are so different from the old normal
“The commitment, competence and capabilities displayed by the Kaduna State Government in my four-week absence is clear evidence that we have a public service we can all be proud of.”
El-Rufai announced he tested positive for COVID-19 on March 28, after reportedly coming in contact with President Muhammadu Buhari’s late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.
He was one of three governors to have openly admitted contracting
the infection.
He subsequently went into self-isolation, handing over the daily running of the state to his deputy.
However, unlike the governors of Bauchi and Oyo States, Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, el-Rufai’s condition persisted even after the stilulated two weeks for quarantine.
Then the rumour surfaced that he had been moved to an Intensive Care Unit. The governor, though, cleared the air by appearing in a virtual meeting on Tuesday and is now free to resume duties 24 hours later.
Aside El-Rufai, Kaduna have recorded eight other positive cases.
