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The United Bank for Africa Plc has joined other African corporations and global donors in the fight against the Coronavirus with an announcement of a support donation of over N5billion, an equivalent of $14 million, through the UBA Foundation, to facilitate a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
Nigeria and 19 other African countries will benefit from the support targeted at supplying relief materials, critical care facilities and financial support to governments.
According to a statement by Ramon Nasir, Head, External and Media Relations of the bank, the donation will provide significant and much needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries, by supplying relief materials, critical care facilities, and financial support to governments.
The breakdown of the donation shows that the Lagos State Government will get N1 billion; the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja will receive N500 million, while N1billion will be shared among the remaining 35 states in the country.
The bank will also give N1.5 billion (US$4.2 million) to the African countries where it has presence, while N1 billion (US$2.8 million) will be expended on medical Centres with equipment and supplies.
Similarly, the bank will provide a free telemedicine call centre facilities.
The bank, in a statement, said Lagos State Government will draw N1bn ($2.8million); N500 million ($1.4 million) to Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; N1 billion ($2.8 million) to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria and N1.5 billion ($4.2 million) to UBA’s presence countries in Africa.
Other allocations include: N1 billion ($2.8 million) for Medical Centres with equipment and supplies as well as free telemedicine call centre facility.
The pan-African bank added it will fund a medical centre immediately in Lagos with beds for isolation and ICU facilities managed and operated in partnership with Heirs Holdings’ healthcare subsidiary, Avon Medical Hospital.
Chairman UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, explained: “This is a time when we must all play our part. This global epidemic must bring citizens, governments and business leaders together – and quickly.
“As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the coronavirus 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 effort that will ensure the response to the pandemic is swift and effective.”
