By our Correspondent
The Managing Editor of Niger Delta Today, an online news platform, Mr Theophilus Onojeghen, who was recently tested positive for COVID-19 has denied being neglected by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Delta State Government as alleged by one Omes Ogedegbe.
Ogedegbe, in a statement made available to newsmen earlier, had allerged NCDC and DTSG negligent handling of the case of Onojeghen, who tested positive for COVID-19.
But in a swift reaction to the allegations, the management of Niger Delta Today in a statement titled, “Covid-19: Onojeghen, Our Managing Editor In Safe Hands, Not Neglected,” said they were disappointed and shocked about the allegations.
The statement reads; “Niger Delta Today (NDT), online publishers of “news you can trust” are as shocked and disappointed as our numerous readers, newsmakers and followers, including the Delta State Government (DTSG) over a statement credited to Omes Ogedegbe, alleging NCDC and DTSG negligent handling of the case of our Managing Editor, Theophilus Ovie Okpare Onojeghen, who tested positive to COVID-19.
“Ordinarily, we would not want to join issues with anyone regarding the health of our editor, but this has become necessary to set the records straight.
“Since our Managing Editor tested positive, Ogedegbe has not contacted or interacted with him, even as NDT made news of his Covid-19 status public.
“NDT affirms here that Ogedegbe’s wild imaginations does not reflect our Editor’s condition or any opinion sought at any point from him by Ogedegbe.
“While it’s common knowledge that all stakeholders are yet challenged from meeting perfection in the fight against a ravaging global pandemic, NDT attest that Onojeghen has never been neglected by NCDC or the DTSG. Both stakeholders have been well meaning from the go, from sample collection, through test to even now that our Editor is undergoing treatment at a state Isolation Center.
“Against Ogedegbe’s assertion, NCDC at the point of evacuating our Editor, took necessary information and set modalities for contract tracing on account of Onojeghen, with same attention being put in place on dealing with the case of his wife and son at the moment.
“Ogedegbe made reference to our Editor’s wife and son not having been tested without acknowledging that fact that there are protocols which are being duly followed by our observations.
“Ogedegbe couldn’t have also known that beyond NCDC and DTSG commendable attention, there has also been outpouring of concern by various other stakeholders including a former Governor who has been sacrificially offering expert advice almost every hourly as an accomplished medical expert.
“It’s unfortunate that even after proving to Ogedegbe that he faltered in jumping to conclusion without any interaction with our Editor, he has continued to spread his misinform, even against further intervention by other concerned stakeholders, giving us the impression that he has ulterior motives for this display of impunity.
“We advise Ogedegbe not to use the case of our editor to prosecute this needless politicisation of Covid-19 in Delta. More critically, his crying more than the bereaved poses more threat the condition of our Editor who is being inundated by ceaseless calls from individuals or groups wanting to confirm if the vexed falsehood has the approval of Onojeghen who should be having enough rest to speed his recovery.
“As a medium reputed for integrity, many of our readers can attest to the fact that if our Editor is being ill treated as he undergoes recovery process, NDT will sound the alarm so loud no matter whose ox is gored.
“We therefore ask the NCDC and DTSG, directly maligned by the falsehood and the general public to disregard the fabrications being spread by Ogedegbe. Our Editor is in safe hands and NDT thanks all who continue to show genuine concern as we pray speedy recovery for our boss.”
