Nigerian banker dies of COVID-19 vaccine complications

Weeks after some banks in the country threaten to cut staff salary if they fail to get vaccinated for COVID-19, a staff of a new generation bank is said to have died as a result of COVID-19 vaccine complications in Uzoro, Delta State.

It would be recalled that one of Nigeria’s biggest banks, GT Bank recently issued a circular to its staff demanding a mandatory vaccination or a salary cut by 50 percent.

 The bank through an internal Memo, titled ‘Deadline for Covid-19 Vaccination and dated September, 13, 2021, which was sent by the bank’s Operational Risk Management Team, Ajose Adeogun office in Lagos, to all staff members, informed them of the new mandatory Covid-19 jab policy.

The Memo partly reads, “All staff have been mandated to ensure they receive their vaccines in their various locations on/before 30th of September 2021.

READ ALSO: Man dies in Edo after receiving covid-19 vaccine

“Please be informed that starting October 2021, any staff that fails to comply will no longer be allowed into the bank’s premises and may be placed on half salary.”

The victim, Mike Ajibike, a staff of another bank, was believed to have received the vaccine alongside other staff members of his bank on September 10, but he became ill shortly afterward.

He was transferred to the Central Hospital in Warri, where he died, according to a family relative.

Before his death, the deceased was claimed among those who had recently been called to the bar and was working on his Master of Laws (LLM).

A member of the family said, “Mike Ajibike became ill after taking the COVID-19 vaccine which the office arranged for all its workers on September 10, 2021, and was admitted to the hospital on September 11.

“He was in the hospital till September 22 when he died. The vaccine was given to him in the office alongside other colleagues. He took the COVID-19 vaccine in the office a few weeks ago and thereafter started complaining of not feeling well. We quickly took him to the Central Hospital, Warri and he never recovered.”

Ajibike hails from Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. He was among those who were recently called to the bar and was already pursuing his LLM before his demise.

He was in his forties and survived by his wife, children and mother.