Weeks before he was set to graduate at the Western Michigan University, USA, a Nigerian-America student, Bassey Offiong, died from coronavirus after being refused a test several times in Michigan.

A report Tuesday by the online edition of The PUNCH said that the deceased was a 25-year-old college student studying Chemical Engineering at the university.

It quoted a relative to the deceased as disclosing that he tested positive for coronavirus last Friday, March 27, 2020.

Offiong’s cousin, Rosalyn Afiong, added that the student died on Sunday, describing the deceased as a “shining light.”

The PUNCH quoted her as saying in a Facebook tribute: “My dear sweet cousin, this is unreal. I don’t even know where to begin. May your soul rest in eternal peace. You did everything and more with your time here on Earth, and although you weren’t anywhere near done in your purpose, you’ve been called for a higher purpose bigger than us all.

“I love you so much and I pray you to keep that same light shining on us from above.” Offiong, according to Rosalyn, was refused testing several times despite showing symptoms of the deadly virus.

She said the victim had shortness of breath, fatigue and fever before his death.

“I told him to ask them to test him. He said they refused to test him,” she told Detroit News, as reported by The PUNCH.

Confirming his death, WMU president, Edward Montgomery, said: “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.”