Atedo Peterside loses friend to COVID-19

Atedo Peterside

Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc Atedo Peterside has lost a friend Prof Ebere Onwudiwe to COVID-19.

Onwudiwe died on January 9 “due to…complications of the global pandemic,” according to family sources.

Mr Peterside, in a tweet on Monday, mourned his friend and urged the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector.

“Yet another friend succumbs to #COVID19 and some Nigerians are still in denial? May Professor Ebere Onwudiwe’s gentle soul rest in perfect peace. And may the Nigerian authorities rise up & strengthen our weak healthcare sector. #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria,” he tweeted.

The deceased is survived by a son, two daughters, wife, and a number of other family members.

Other prominent Nigerians like the Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and former presidential candidate Pat Utomi have expressed sorrow over Onwudiwe’s death.

Apart from having a doctorate degree in Political Science, Onwudiwe also acquired postgraduate degrees in Economics and International Relations. He held several local and international positions in his lifetime, including serving as professor of Political Science at the Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, US where he also became director of the Centre for African Studies and executive director of the Centre for International Studies.