A PROMINENT Nigerian-born NHS doctor has died after contracting COVID-19.

Dr Alfa Sa’adu had come out of retirement to rejoin the NHS and help in the battle against the coronavirus.

Dani, Sa’adu son, told HuffPost UK that his father was a very passionate man.

“He was a very passionate man, who cared about saving people.

“As soon you spoke to him about medicine his face would light up. He worked for the NHS for nearly 40 years in different hospitals across London,” Dani said. 

Sa’adu was working part time at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, before he died.

During his career in the NHS, Saadu worked as consultant physician and acting clinical director.

In 2009, he was selected for the Top Talent Programme, part of the national Breaking Through Programme, which aimed to increase representation of black and ethnic minority NHS staff leading at board level.

Dani urged people to take the coronavirus outbreak seriously.

“The coronavirus is not a joke, please take it seriously and listen to the government. Please stay safe and protect your loved ones – nothing is more important,” he told HuffPost UK.

Tributes have been paid to Sa’adu on social media and in local Nigerian news outlets.

Ahmadu Galadima, a nephew of Sa’adu, tweeted: “This thing is not a joke. Please stay home and stay safe.”

Consultant neurosurgeon Andrew Alalade described Sa’adu as a “brilliant and eloquent gentleman”.

“You always worked really hard and even came back to help,” Alalade tweeted.