The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Adamawa state chapter, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza has tested negative for the Coronavirus disease after under going successful treatment.

Bishop Mamza who was in isolation for two weeks following his positive status said he has been certified free of the virus by medical doctors.

He made this known while briefing newsmen at his residence in Yola.

” I have been certified free of Coronavirus and I want to use this opportunity to thank very sincerely all people of goodwill across the country who have been praying for me in order that I get well and I want to assure everybody that I’m now physically well”.

The clergy who is also the Catholic Bishop of Yola diocese said there is the need for citizens to continually adhere to the laid down non pharmaceutical protocols by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control to curb the spread of the virus in the state and the country at large.

” I want to advise the general public that Coronavirus is real, there is no doubt about it and there is a need for the public to take the necessary precautionary measures especially the protocols which includes wearing of face mask, washing of hands with running water and maintaining social distance. People should try and abide by the protocols.

” Yes it is real, but I personally feel that the effect of Coronavirus has been over exaggerated in Nigeria and I think the fear that has been instilled into people is too much. It is not a dead sentence and it is not as bad as people are talking about it. If you get it, you will get well even if you have the underlying sicknesses. Fear is the one that can paralyse someone.

” Please people should obey the protocol and should not be panicking as much as they obey the protocol.”

While speaking on the relentless efforts of health workers at the front line of the fight against the virus, Bishop Mamza said there is an urgent need for government and all citizens to appreciate those putting their lives and that of their families on the line to make sure we are all safe.

He also called on the federal government to always go into negotiations with doctors to avoid any industrial action which he believe is not good for the country especially at this critical time.

“I think Nigerians need to appreciate the efforts of the health workers, those in the front line collecting samples, those in the lab, doctors and nurses at various treatment centres, and that is why I feel very sad when I hear that medical doctors will be going on strike. This is not when such should happen. The government should please attend to the needs of the doctors immediately so that there will be no strike,” he said.

Bishop Mamza also called for an immediate upgrade of all health facilities in the country, seeing that COVID-19 has exposed Nigeria’s weaknesses and that should be urgently addressed.

” I think COVID-19 has exposed our weaknesses in terms of health facilities in Nigeria, our bad sides has been seen and we have a lot to learn and also improve.

” It is God that has been helping us because nobody expected that the virus will be mild in Nigeria and Africa in general, having heard what happened in Europe and other parts of the world,” he stressed.

The catholic Bishop who is also a member of the Adamawa state COVID-19 Containment Committee was the first public official to publicly declare his status when he contracted the virus, a move that was commended by many.

He therefore called on all public officials to come clean when they tests positive to show example to the public and also reduce the spread of the disease.

” If you are a public figure, you should know that you have people around you and they need to know what is happening to you. If you get the virus there is no reason to hide it. If you do then it means that you’re not helping the public, yourself and your family, so there is every need for you to make it people to help to reduce the spread of the virus,” he said.

The clergy is confident that vaccines will be available and that COVID-19 will soon come to an end. ” We have heard that Russia has gotten vaccines and so many other countries. We hope and pray that before the end of the year the vaccines will be available.”