By Sofiyyah Abdur Rasak, Lagos
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced a N5 billion or US$ 14 million donation to fight the Coronavirus global pandemic in Africa.
The Gazelle News.com reports that this was contained in a press release issued on Thursday, 26 March, 2020. The donation was done through the UBA Foundation and meant to catalyse a comprehensive pan- African response to forget against the corona virus (COVID-19) global pandemic.
According to the statement, the donation will provide significant and much needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries, by supporting relief materials, critical care facilities and financial support to governments.
The statement said further that the support programme will be allocated thus:
N1 billion (USD 2.8 MILLION) to Lagos State Government.
N500 million (USD 1.4 MILLION) To Nigeria Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
N1 billion (USD 2.8 MILLION) to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria.
N1.5 billion (USD 4.2 MILLION) to UBA’S presence countries in Africa.
N1 billion (USD 2.5 MILLION) For medical centres with equipment and supplies.
The Group Chairman of UBA, Tony O. Elumelu said, “This is a time we must all play our part. This global pandemic must bring citizens, government and business leaders together and quickly.
“As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the corona virus in Nigeria and Africa, the private sector has to work hand in hand with various governments, in stemming the spread of the global pandemic.
“We commend the efforts of governments and we are keen to partner and contribute our resources to the collective efforts, that will ensure the response to the pandemic is swift and effective operation in 20 African countries and globally in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France, the United Bank for Africa has a strong record of supporting its communities, through challenging times”.