The board of United Bank for Africa Plc, on Thursday, announced a donation of USS14m (over N5bn), through the UBA Foundation, in what it said is to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.
The donation, the group said, 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.
According to a schedule of the fund’s allocation under the UBA support programme, while N1.5bn (about US$4.2m) goes to UBA’s countries of operation in Africa; the Lagos State Government in Nigeria is billed to receive N1bn (or US$2.8m); same as the remaining 35 states in the country; followed by the country’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with N500m (or US$1.4m). Another N1bn (or US$2.8m) is earmarked for Medical Centres with equipment and supplies
The pan-African bank is to fund the medical centre immediately in Lagos, Nigeria, with beds for isolation and Intensive Care Unit facilities, managed and operated in partnership with Heirs Holdings’ healthcare subsidiary, Avon Medical Hospital.
In addition, UBA is providing a free telemedicine platform, that is physician-led, to provide direct access to medical advice to citizens, in compliance with social distancing requirements.
The statement quoted Tony Elumelu, UBA Group Chairman as saying the time has come “when we must all play our part. This global pandemic 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,” he added.