COVID-19 Battle: Buhari Salutes Atiku, Dangote, Bankers for Donating Billions

Malik Yahya/

President Muhammadu Buhari has saluted what he described as the public-spiritedness of wealthy Nigerians and organizations standing up to be counted in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President commends members of the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against Covid-19, including Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu of BUA Group, Femi Otedola (Forte Oil), Tony Elumelu (UBA), Herbert Wigwe (Access Bank), Segun Agbaje (GTB) and Jim Ovia (Zenith Bank) for contributing N1 billion each, and being in the vanguard of encouraging others in the private sector to do same.

UBA has equally donated the sum of N5 billion to Nigeria and Africa, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged N50 million,  while First Bank is partnering with government, the United Nations and innovative technology firms to provide e-learning solutions to at least one million children under its ‘Keep Them Engaged, Keep Them Safe’ initiative.

The President extols every other helping hand that has been lent by individuals, groups and organizations, which may not necessarily be in the public domain, noting that God who sees all things will abundantly recompense.

President Buhari recommends these laudable strides to other high net-worth Nigerians and organizations, stressing that hand in hand, the country will overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic, and chart a new course in nationalism and brotherhood.