Telecoms operator commits N1.9b to curb spread of coronavirus, groups task govts on accountability of donations

Telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has announced a commitment of over N1.9b towards the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Providing a breakdown of the amount, Airtel said N200m would go for provision of an Isolation Centre or any required Medical Facility agreed with the appropriate Health Authority in the country, another N120m for provision of over 100,000 respirator masks for health workers across the country.

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said Airtel was connected with the feelings of every Nigerian at this time and was inspired to act and continue to go the extra mile to ensure that the deadly coronavirus was contained.

Acknowledging Airtel’s donations to Nigeria’s Port Health Services, its Director, Dr. Morenike Alex-Okoh, commended Airtel Nigeria for pledging its support immediately the request was made and for fulfilling the promise within a short time.

Besides, Chairman of Danvandy Group, Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong has donated N10m in cash and Medical Equipment worth over N15m to the Cross River State government to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Ekpenyong, who is also the Chairman of Asuquo Ekpenyong Foundation made the donation to Governor Benedict Ayade and the Taskforce Team at Government House, Calabar.

Also, Ibadan businessman, Sir Bode Akindele, has emerged the top individual donor to Oyo State COVID-19 Endowment Fund with a donation of N25m after Chairman of Ilaji Hotels and Resort Lateef Fagbemi, gave N10m, Dr. Dotun Sanusi (N5m) and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta state, Alhaji Daud Akinola who donated N20m.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Change has urged the Federal and states government to account for all the donations made during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

In a statement yesterday, its President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin said with the general complaint accompanying the distribution as well as quality of relief materials across the country, it has become imperative for government to take a closer look at the templates adopted for the exercise.

“Let each governor be on top of such sensitive programme of this nature to distribute relief materials directly and monitor same effectively for the benefit of the people’s welfare,” she said.

Also, a coalition of civil society organisations has called for transparency in the management of over 30 billion naira donated by groups and individuals in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, the coalition led by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Center), also called for the Federal and state government to employ a trackable approach in disbursing the funds.

Chairman, HEDA Olanrewaju Suraju said no fewer than 25 other civil society organisations signed the statement, saying, “We appreciate all the contributors and donors in the emergency funds and materials in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The best that can happen is accountability.