In what appears to be the biggest donation by an individual towards stemming the rage of the global pandemic Coronavirus, the Mike Adenuga Foundation (MAF) has donated the sum of N1.5 billion to fight the scourge.
The breakdown of the N1.5 billion donation indicated that N1billion went to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which is coordinating efforts to raise funds from corporate bodies to support the initiatives aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, while the Lagos State Government which has recorded the majority of the cases got N500 million.
The cheque for the Lagos State Government was presented by the Executive Vice Chairman, Globacom, Mrs. Bella Disu, while representatives of MAF presented the N1billion cheque to CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in Abuja on Monday, March 30th, 2020.
Aside from the cash donation, MAF pledged that it would continue its efforts to assist various bodies and institutions in the country with the supply of essential items such as; Sanitizers, Masks, Test Kits, Personal Prospective Equipment (PPEs), Respirators and other necessary requirements to combat the pandemic.
“We are fully aware that our nation is indeed passing through very challenging times, with unprecedented impact on how we live, survive, stay in touch with each other and conduct our businesses. We feel the pulse of our people, appreciate the pains of those who are sick or have lost loved ones and the anxiety of all of us compelled to live under the shadow of this dreaded pandemic”, the Foundation said.
It further noted that the core values that connect people firmly with one another, including love for family, community and enterprise, seem the most threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, but enthused that the foundation and its founder, Dr. Adenuga were committed to the protection and promotion of those values.
MAF, therefore, appealed to Nigerians not to allow the pandemic to affect those values adversely while giving kudos to government at the Federal and other levels as well as the relevant agencies for their diligence and commitment so far in the bid to nip the pandemic in the bud.
The Mike Adenuga Foundation enjoined all Nigerians to adhere to prescribed measures by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to safeguard their health.
“These include regular hand washing and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, limiting non-essential travel and ensuring timely medical checkups. Our primary focus at MAF is to ensure that all Nigerians remain safe to support their families and the economy,” it said.