Above is official picture of Rt. Hon. Titus Uba, Speaker Benue State House of Assembly.
SPEAKER, Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Titus Uba, has tested positive for covid-19, a press release signed by Hon Tertsea Gbiseh, Chairman, Committee on Information and Orientation, Benue State House of Assembly (BSHoA), has stated.
The release also revealed that another member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Tertsea Gbiseh, representing Kwande East state constituency also tested positive for covid-19.
While the state radio station, Radio Benue Makurdi, earlier broke the news of the speaker’s covid-19 status during its 5pm news broadcast Sunday evening, it was officially confirmed in press releases from the House of Assembly and Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary at about 8:30pm on Sunday, all made available to National Record.
Confirming the development, Mr Lubem Tiav, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, in a press statement, said all members of the speaker’s family tested negative, with the exception of the speaker and his last son, both of whom, though positive, but asymptomatic. The status was also confirmed via telephone with National Record.
Both Statements are posted below, first is the statement from the Assembly:
PRESS RELEASE!!
Following a series of routine covid-19 tests conducted on Members of the Benue State House of Assembly and staffs, the Speaker of the House Rt Hon Titus Uba wishes to inform the public that some of the samples returned positive results.
The NCDC officials in their report confirmed that the Speaker, Rt Hon Titus Uba representing Kyan constituency and Hon Tertsea Gbiseh representing Kwande East constituency have so far tested positive to the virus, while results for the other Members and staffs is been [sic] awaited.
As a result of this development, the speaker has ordered the immediate closure of the Assembly complex and directed fumigation of the premises.
The Assembly by virtue of it’s [sic] official functions and constituency responsibilities stand the natural risk of exposure to carriers of the virus despite the adherence to personal hygiene and covid-19 safety protocols, and just like every other public worker, it is an occupational hazard that comes with service.
The affected members have immediately gone into self-isolation and full treatment on them has commenced in line with covid-19 protocols. While Rt Hon Uba and Hon Gbiseh are without symptoms they are at the moment assisting the NCDC in contact tracing.
The Speaker commends the State Action Committee on covid-19 on the work done so far and urged them to do more especially in the area of accessible test centres, he also pleads with the public to assist the fight by observing the basic safety processes of constant hand washing and sanitizing while maintaining social distancing when it is necessary to be in public, community transmission is what we are experiencing now and the responsibility to halt this dreaded foe lies with us all.
The state legislature will resume plenary when the Speaker determines it is safe to do so under advicement from relevant health workers.
In the meantime, all important communications will be relayed to Honorable Members and members of staff via virtual meetings. We regret any inconveniences this development might cause our constituents but we must be alive to serve you. The house leadership will work with the NCDC to confirm the health status of other Members and staffs and same will be made available to the Press appropriately.
Please stay safe as you pray for Benue and indeed Nigeria to overcome this pandemic.
Hon Tertsea Gbiseh,
Chairman, Committee on Information and Orientation. BSHoA
Speaker Test Positive To Covid-19 – Chief Press Secretary
Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Titus Uba, on Saturday 18th July, 2020, received his Covid-19 test result and tested positive. The Speaker’s sample was taken last week Thursday by officials of Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Abuja among other four Assembly members that presented themselves for the exercise at his residence.
The Kyan representative stated this in a telephone conversation with his Chief Press Secretary, Lubem Tiav, that among his household that presented themselves for testing, all returned negative except for his last son, who was positive.
According to the result, he is asymptomatic, but stable, hale and hearty, in high spirit and has since commenced full treatment in self-isolation according to the protocols and advice of medical professionals.
The Speaker further opined that individuals should take responsibility at ensuring the curve of the virus is flattened and the pandemic checkmated from taking a huge toll on Benue Community.
Rt. Hon Titus Uba further stated that contact with the virus is not a death sentence as such people should not be scared and weary freak but only adhere religiously to medical advice, non-pharmaceutical measures and follow through with government’s directives at arresting the virus.
The Number One lawmaker counselled persons that might have had contact with him within the last one week to submit themselves for test and also stated that modalities have been put in place to get all Assembly members and staff tested to ascertain their status.
He enjoined individuals with suggestive symptoms to present themselves for medical examination. He wished Benue people well and sends his sentiments of quick recovery to the First Lady, Dr Mrs Eunice Ortom, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Tony Ijohor, Head of Service, Mrs Victoria Onyeke, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Terwase Orbunde, Vice Chancellor, Benue State University, Prof Msugh Kembe, the late Prof Godwin Achinge’s family and all the unreported cases that have not been captured by media lens and pen.
Lubem Tiav
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker
