Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep appreciation to individuals, groups and organisations that had so far contributed funds and materials in support of Nigeria’s campaign against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
The President categorically mentioned the contributions by the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr Mike Adenuga, the Alakija, Dr Emeka Offor, as well as many corporate organisations, like the oil sector players that teamed up with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to make a $30 million donation.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President assured the contributors and the Nigerian populace that all the financial and material resources being contributed and pooled together would be judiciously and properly used to stop the march of the dreaded disease.
He urged Nigerians to follow the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health, state governments and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which officials had been toiling day and night to keep everyone in the country safe.
“President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledges, with deep appreciation, the kind gesture of captain of industries, corporate entities, missionaries, musical artistes and individuals who have consistently supported ongoing efforts to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic, which is ravaging the global economy.
Read Also: Buhari exempts banks, others from lockdown
“The President thanks a group of oil companies, who partnered with the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) to donate $30 million, while appreciating contributions from All Progressives Congress National leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr Mike Adenuga, Modupeola and Folorunsho Alakija of Famfa Oil, and Dr Emeka Offor, who joined a list of other public-spirited Nigerians in contributing health and educational facilities.
“The President welcomes generous donations as announced by Zenith Bank PLC, which was committed to the public health care system, Keystone bank, First Bank Plc and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, and his wife, Dr Becky Enenche, who also took to the streets to sensitize citizens on the dreaded virus.
“President Buhari appreciates the efforts of Stallion Empowerment Initiative of the Stallion Group, and the entertainment industry, particularly renowned musician, Innocent Idibia, Tuface, for contributions.
“Assuring all Nigerians that the funds will be properly utilized to check the effect of the COVID-19 and reposition the health care system, President Buhari urges all intending donors to channel contributions through the Presidential Task Force for the Control of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“The President notes that the situation facing the country, and others across the world, would certainly need the financial, technical and material support of companies and individuals, and collective effort of all Nigerians, to bring the pandemic under control”, the statement said.
