As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, some Nigerians still believe that the virus does not exist. Saturday Beats chronicles the stories of some celebs who have battled the dreaded virus and shared their experience with the public
Alibaba
Respected comedian and actor, Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba, surprised many of his fans when he revealed earlier in the week that he had just survived the deadly virus.
Lambasting those who doubted the existence of the virus, he wrote, “COVID-19 is real. Don’t let anyone tell you it is a scam. I just came out of isolation, and several people died while I was there.
“I thank the Lagos State Governor, the Commissioner of Health, the Managing Director of the COVID-19 Isolation Centre in Yaba (Lagos), doctors, especially Dr Nifemi, who are risking their lives to keep us alive. Thanks also to the nurses.
“COVID-19 is real. Observe all the protocols, people are dying and it is not a joke.
“In fact, anyone who says COVID-19 is a scam, is a compound idiot and a fool.”
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Back in August 2020, popular actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, had taken to her social media pages to announce to the world that she had tested positive for COVID-19.
“I know most of you have been wondering where I’ve been. Well, I contracted COVID-19. I have been ill in isolation and (I am) now getting better.
After that initial post, she constantly updated her followers about her recovery journey, while advising them to be careful.
Azadus
Singer, Olalekan Fadeyi, aka Azadus, also took to his Instagram page in 2020 to share his COVID-19 survival story.
Speaking about his ordeal in an interview with Saturday Beats, he said, “I was not scared for a second but I was emotional at some point. My wife was scared and she started crying because of my persistent cough. I couldn’t bear it, so I cried too when I saw her in that state. That was the only time I got emotional. I knew God was going to get me out of it. She also knew that but she’s human after all.”
Bouqui
Rapper and media personality, Bukola Folayan, popularly known as Bouqui, also recounted her experience with the dreaded COVID-19. She wrote on Instagram, “I was sick with COVID-19. I’m sorry I didn’t tell anybody; I hate pity. After the crazy wave of all the stuff you read about (yes they are true)― depression, loneliness, headaches, disillusionment etc, I decided to find a project to occupy my mind. So, I built a gym. I ordered the equipment and set everything up myself. With the weakness and other stuff, I knew if I (just) lay down, I could die.”
Peter, Paul and Jude Okoye
Popular singers and twin brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye, of the defunct music group, P-Square, no longer sing together as a group but COVID-19 ‘united’ them again recently when they both tested positive for the coronavirus, albeit at different times.
Peter, fondly called Mr P, shared his experience in June 2020, while Paul, aka Rude Boy, on January 5, 2021, narrated his 10-day battle with the virus,
Few days later, their elder brother, Jude, also revealed that he had just recovered from the viral infection.
Lola Alao
Actress, Lola Alao, couldn’t hold back her gratitude to God when she recovered from COVID-19.
She wrote on social media, “I tested positive for COVID-19 but I am fine now. To God be the glory.
“I don’t know what you must have heard about COVID-19, but I tell you today that it is way deadlier than you can ever think of.
