How Coronavirus cut short dream of Nigerian student Bassey Offiong

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Bassey Offiong. Photo: Rolling Out

Few days to his graduation, a 25-year-old Nigerian student, Bassey Offiong in Western Michigan University, Detroit, United States, was struck dead by deadly Coronavirus.

The Chemical Engineering student was said to have been turned down several times for the coronavirus test in the Kalamazoo area while living off-campus despite having fever, fatigue and shortness of breath.

Asari Offiong, Bassey’s sister said her brother told her he was turned down several times.

“I told him to ask them to test him,” Offiong said. “He said they refused to test him.”

One medical staffer told him he had bronchitis, she said. She said he had no known prior health issues. Offiong said she wasn’t ready to disclose the locations where he was denied a test.

He was hospitalized at Beaumont in Royal Oak and spent the last week on a ventilator in their intensive care unit. She called her “baby brother” sweet and humble and a “gentle giant.” She last saw him a week ago.

“I know God has him in his presence,” Offiong said. “He loved God.”

According to Detroit News, he was a member of the Christ the King Miracle Church in Redford Township.

Bassey Offiong’s dream was to start his own organic makeup line with Loreal that would enhance women’s beauty, his sister said. He was a graduate of Renaissance High School in Detroit.

“He’s just someone who thinks so big,” she said.

Western Michigan University President Edward Montgomery said Offiong had “enormous potential.”

“On behalf of the entire Bronco community, I want to extend my deepest condolences to his entire family, including his sister, Asari, who has been generous in communicating with us regularly,” ures.”

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