Billionaires, Organizations That Have Made Donations Towards Nigeria’s Fight Against Coronavirus

With the trend that the novel Coronavirus also known as covid-19 has set in other countries, it is evident that the collective effort of governments, corporate bodies and individuals, is imperative to fight this invisible but deadly enemy of mankind.

It is against this backdrop that many companies and wealthy individuals are rising to the occasion and contributing their quota to support the fight against the virus, as well as assisting the government in planning ahead and taking measures to mitigate the spread of the disease.

Taking the lead globally in terms of donations is Alibaba Billionaire and richest man in China, Jack Ma. The renown business tycoon and philanthropist donated millions of medical supplies to 54 African countries. 

On March 24, Nigeria received its share of the donation. The shipment, which came in via an Ethiopian Airlines flight, included 100,000 Masks; 9,999 Face Shield; 20,000 Test Kits and 1000 Personal Protective Equipment (Groves).

Following suit Billionaire Aliko Dangote through the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) also announced his donation. In a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of ADF, Zouera Youssoufou, on March 2, it was revealed that the sum of N200million was donated to support current effort of the Nigerian government towards curbing the spread of Coronavirus in the country.

Then, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its partners in the oil and gas sector on March 28 announced a donation of $30m (N11bn) to help combat the coronavirus pandemic and its attendant impact on the Nigerian economy. NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, announced the intervention fund on behalf of the oil firm and its partners.

Other billionaires in Nigeria and corporate organizations also joined forces financially to support the Federal Government to combat the pandemic, leading to the creation of Nigeria Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19. 

Members of this coalition which include Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Herbert Wigwe, Segun Agbaje and Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, all contributed 1 billion Naira (about $2.7 million) each to support the government in curtailing the pandemic in Nigeria.

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, on his own part pledged a donation of N50m. In a statement personally signed on March 25, Atiku said he believed the donation would help efforts towards curbing the spread of the pandemic.

“To this end, Priam Group pledges N50 million on my behalf as my humble contribution to a relief Fund that will form part of the stimulus package.” https://t.co/uTjCt6DRID

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) March 25, 2020

APC Chieftain Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on March 29 also announced that he will be making a donation of 200 million naira to fight the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.

Asiwaju also known as Jagaban tweeted that in pursuant to the pledge, N100 million will be made available to the government of Lagos State and another N100 million to the NCDC to fight the scourge of COVID-19.

3. That is why I have chosen today to announce that I will be making a donation of N200m to fight this deadly virus. Pursuant to this pledge, N100m will be made available to the government of Lagos State and another N100m to the NCDC to support their efforts in fighting COVID-19.

— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@AsiwajuTinubu) March 29, 2020

It would be recalled that on March 26, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) announced a donation of 5 billion Naira (about $13 million) to provide beds for isolation centers, intensive care unit facilities and direct access to medical advice to up to 450,000 citizens every day. 

Another bank that has contributed to this cause is Keystone Bank, which said it will donate N1bn for the purchase of relief materials, critical care facilities and protective gear to curtail the spread of coronavirus virus.

The pledge was made on March 29 during the Bankers’ Committee meeting which held recently, to support the Central Bank of Nigeria in its bid to raise funds for the fight against coronavirus pandemic through the newly-formed Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Committee.

GTBank was not left out in the donation as it partnered with the Lagos state government to provide a 110-bedspace isolation centre, which was recently launched. 

The facility located in Onikan Stadium, now known as Mobolaji Johnson Arena, was built by the Lagos state government in collaboration with the management of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) to combat the increasing Coronavirus cases in the state. 

Our 110-bed fully equipped Onikan #COVID19 Isolation Centre in partnership with @GTBank is ready!

We are excited about our private sector partners that are answering the call to assist us with visible impact. Our government will leave no stone unturned to protect our residents. pic.twitter.com/MMBk5ikWYh

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) March 28, 2020

Other banking institutions that have contributed their quota in the fight against COVID-19 are Access Bank, N1billion; Zenith Bank, N1billion; and Stanbic IBTC with a sum of N250 million.

Popular philanthropist and businessman, Sir Kesington Adebutu, popularly known as Baba Ijebu has also donated to support the fight.  In a letter addressed to the Lagos State government, it was revealed that the he gave the sum of N300 million towards combating coronavirus in the state.

In the letter, dated March 30, Sir Kesington, described the donation as his way of helping the state bring succour to those who are down with the disease.

Billionaire and richest woman in Africa, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija was not left out. A letter from company Famfa Oil limited revealed her contribution of N1 billion to support the fight against Coronavirus in Nigeria.

Mike Adenuga, billionaire businessman and one of Africa’s richest entrepreneurs has also announced a generous donation of N1.5 billion towards the initiatives to combat the outbreak of the virus in the country.

The amount, which is the highest individual donation so far, is broken into two: N1 billion to the federal government and N500 million to the Lagos state government.

The entertainment industry has also rallied round the federal government in combating the pandemic.

In a bid to rally support and unify Nigerians against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, Afro-pop music legend, Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, will on Easter day (April 12) hold an online concert (e-concert).

According to a statement issued by the organisers, the concert aims to encourage people to support the fight against Coronavirus by obeying the stay-at-home directive by the government during this period, amongst other things.

In addition, the singer, together with Nigeria Breweries Plc., made N10 million donation to support initiatives aimed at combating the COVID-19. 

Some clerics have also supported the federal government by either donating medical supplies or by donating funds. 

Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC) on March 26, donated medical equipment worth N2bn to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to combat the Coronavirus outbreak.

The donation which was made by the Founder and Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche, alongside his wife, Dr. Becky Enenche, and other leaders of the church, was received by the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, in Abuja.

On March 27, Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), donated to curb the spread of Coronavirus in two phases. For phase 1 of the mission’s Christian Social Responsibility (CSR), the cleric donated 11 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds fitted with ventilators to Lagos, Ogun and Plateau states.

Then, for phase 2, Pastor Adeboye donated 10,000 hand sanitizers, 10,000 hand gloves & 30,000 surgical face mask to support the medical staff in the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19 virus.

As part of efforts to support the medical staff in the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19 virus, @PastorEAAdeboye has donated Sanitizers, Hand Gloves & Nose masks which is phase 2 of the Mission’s Christian Social Responsibility in response to the outbreak. pic.twitter.com/MkcaK7vPzV

— Pst Mrs F.A.Adeboye (@PastorFAAdeboye) March 28, 2020