10 Billionaire Leading the Fight Against COVID-19 In Nigeria
The first case of the coronavirus was confirmed in Nigeria on the 27th of February. The patient was an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria who returned from Milan to Lagos on the 25th of February 2020.
Weeks after the index case was confirmed, Nigeria now has over a hundred confirmed cases of COVID-19 with an overload in Lagos, Abuja, Osun, and Ogun states.
With dozens of newly confirmed Corona Virus cases in Nigeria weekly, the private sector has now risen to the occasion to support government efforts in curbing further spread, testing, and treatment of the COVID-19.
Led by some of the country’s most successful businessmen and women, there has been a generous outpour of financial support and medical equipment donations, technical know-how and hands-on suggestion on how to reduce the effect on the pandemic on Nigerians.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was one of the first individual Nigerians who championed private donations to the course of the COVID-19.
He donated N50million as relief fund to support the Federal Government’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
Segun Agbaje, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank announced that in partnership with Lagos State the will set up a new 110-bed isolation and treatment centre at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (formerly Onikan Stadium) as an additional measure to handle the coronavirus pandemic. The station has since been set up and ready to receive patients.
Tony Elumelu Tony Elumelu, the chairman of the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) is one of the top entrepreneurs who have contributed handsomely in support of the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria.
The bank announced a donation of over 5 billion Naira (USD14 million), through the UBA Foundation, to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.
According to UBA, ‘The donation will provide significant and much-needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries, by supplying relief materials, critical care facilities, and financial support to Governments. The UBA support programme will be allocated as follows:
- N1 billion (USD2.8 million) to Lagos State Government in Nigeria
- N500 million (USD1.4 million) to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
- N1 billion (USD2.8 million) to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria
- 5 billion (USD4.2 million) to UBA’s presence countries in Africa
- N1 billion (USD2.8 million) for Medical Centres with equipment and supplies
- Free Telemedicine call centre facility.
Entrepreneur Abdul Samad Rabiu’s BUA Group also joins corporates and business leaders from Africa in donating money to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
BUA redeemed its pledge of N1billion ($2.6mn) to the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria by way of a confirmed funds transfer to the COVID-19 relief fund account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Besides, the company also announced another donation of N300million to Sokoto, Edo and Ogun States to assist in galvanizing a coordinated response and adequate preparedness in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in this states
Aliko Dangote through the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has donated N200 million to support the federal government’s effort at containing the spread of COVID-19 (CoronaVirus) in the country.
The African richest man also donates four ambulances from the Aliko Dangote Foundation to support the COVID-19 pandemic response activities in Lagos State.
The telecommunications Billionaire, Mike Adenuga is not left out. Mike Adenuga, through the Mike Adenuga Foundation, has donated the sum of N1.5 billion to Nigeria’s fight against the coronavirus.
Femi Otedola, the billionaire business mogul, has also announced a donation of a sum of N1 billion towards the eradication of the deadly coronavirus pandemic in the country.
Mrs. Alakija, the richest woman in Africa has also contributed generously towards the course of eradicating Corona Virus in Nigeria. Mrs. Folorunso Alakija alongside her husband Mrs. Modupe Alakija pledged N1 Billion Naira through Famfa Oil to support Nigeria’s Fight Against COVID-19.
The popular musician Davido’s father and billionaire, Dr. Deji Adeleke has donated N500 million to the FG to fight the COVID-19. He also donated 6,640 bags of rice worth N250 Million to residents of Osun state.
Not left behind is the politician and businessman Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Senator Tinubu has donated N200 million to aid the fight against Coronavirus while marking his 68th birthday celebration.
As the struggle against the Corona Virus continues in Nigeria, we can only hope that the handsome donations would be put into judicious use so that the poorest of the poor could cope during these trying times and the country will soon be free of the deadly virus.
Bukola Owo-Bello is a spirited storyteller, content creator and YouTuber who loves sharing amazing opportunities, inspiration, and ideas with forward-thinking African youths.
Follow her on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram on @BukkiTalks
