HOW ZENITH BANK LOST SENIOR MANAGER TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE COVER UP
By Oluwasegun Abifarin and Olawale Abideen/LAGOS// The rampaging Covid-19 pandemic has taken a bite at Zenith Bank Plc, claiming the live of one of its senior managers at its head office in Lagos, Mr. Chike Anosike, even though the bank is trying to gloss over the story.
Findings revealed that Anosike developed some covid19 related symptoms recently, and later went into the isolation center. When the situation worsened a few days later, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, ICU, from where he lost the battle.
A message from one Anosike’s course mate at the Lagos Business School, LBS mourning his death announced that: “with a very heavy heart…..I share the news that a perfect gentleman, who became my brother and my closest friend – Chike Anosike
“He developed some covid19 related symptoms about three weeks ago, last Monday went into the isolation centre, a few days later, went into ICU, and unfortunately he passed this morning.”
He went further to admonish other friends to “please take this covid19 situation extremely serious, may God guide and keep each and every one of us safe and in good health. It is well.”
Meanwhile, the bank spokesman, Ayoola Kusimo claimed Anosike was no more a staff of the bank at the time of death and that he left in January this year. But multiple sources in the bank countered this claim, saying the bank is just trying to avoid a reputational damage at the risk of public safety.
They added that Anosike was in the office shortly before his death and his name was on top of the six individual that signed the Global loan/credit document on behalf of the bank. The document on workflow.africa.int,zenithbank.com says “you have successfully submitted the request and the request has been sent for consideration by Anosike Chike and….
Before now, other banks in the country have been able to balance their Covid-19 communications and concerns for public safety. For instance, on March 23, the Ligali Ayorinde branch of Access Bank Plc was closed on after a customer who visited last week tested positive to coronavirus.
Instead of denying the obvious, an urgent update posted on its official Twitter handle indicated that the unnamed customer visited on March 16 and showed no symptoms of the disease.
The bank further advised anyone who visited the branch in the last week should self-quarantine for a period of 14 days starting immediately. Should you feel sick or exhibit any of the Coronavirus symptoms, please contact the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on 08009700001 or SMS
“The health of all our stakeholders remains paramount at Access Bank Plc, as we are adopting all necessary measures to ensure your safety at this time. Please be reminded that we will continue to serve you through our Alternate Delivery Channels,” the bank said.
Also on April 22, a day after 70 new cases of Covid 19 pandemic were uncovered in Lagos, prompting the shutdown of some private health care facilities in the state, First Bank Nigeria Plc ordered its staff who might have visited any of the affected hospitals to proceed to take some precautionary measures.
Similarly, on June 7, Wema Bank alerted that it received confirmation that one of its staff in our Dugbe branch has tested positive for coronavirus. While she is yet to show any symptoms, the bank said she had gone into isolation according to NCDC directive.
“In keeping to our commitment to ensure the safety of our customers, staff and community, we have reached out to everyone she came in contact with and advised they get tested.
“In light of this, the branch has been shut down for immediate disinfection and will only be reopened once we certify that it is safe enough for services to resume,” the bank said+
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