The United Bank for Africa Plc says it has presented the sum of N1bn to the Lagos State Government as part of its commitment to help curb the effect of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Presenting the cheque which is in fulfilment of its N5 billion commitment made by the UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, last week, at the Government House in Marina, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Kennedy Uzoka, said that as a socially responsible institution, UBA cares for its communities.
This, he noted, is necessary, given that Lagos State needs special attention, having recorded the highest number of positive cases thus far and the important role the state plays in the economy of not only Nigeria but Africa as a whole, given its vast population and other key economic factors.
Uzoka said to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, “given the population of this state and that it is the business nerve centre, we at UBA are committed to lending our support to the state government.
“So today, we are giving you and the state N1bn to support your endeavour in fighting the Coronavirus disease.
“I will not fail to mention that this wasn’t an easy decision for us because Lagos is just one of the many states in Nigeria. However, we looked at the importance of Lagos to Nigeria, but more importantly, we looked at the fact that Lagos has set up the right structures to administer whatever it is that we are giving to the state. So, we rest assured, because we believe without an iota of doubt that the state will use these funds effectively and efficiently,” Uzoka explained.
Receiving the cheque, Governor Sanwo-Olu, appreciated the support of the bank, which according to him will go a long way to assist in kicking out the worrisome pandemic.”
For him also, “this is not the kind of money that we would want to take for granted. This is really an important intervention and this fund will go a long way to meet all of our needs both now and in the future, to ensure that Lagos continues to remain safe for business.
“And so, we are indeed happy that you decided to make this very bold move to support the health facility infrastructure in Lagos. You can rest assured that once the structures have been developed, we will call you again to see what we have put these resources to.”
Recall that UBA had last Thursday, announced a donation of over N5bn (about USD14m), through the UBA Foundation, to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.
The donation is expected to 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 bank has begun to roll out its support programme, having already disbursed the pledged amounts to many states within Nigeria and seven countries in Africa including Ghana, Guinea, Cameroun, Tanzania, Tchad, Liberia, Republic of Benin.
As part of modalities for distributing the N5bn, and besides the Lagos State Government, N500m (US$1.4m) is earmarked for Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; N1bn (US$2.8m) to the remaining 35 states in the country. Also, N1.5bn (US$4.2m) is for other host countries of the UBA Group across Africa; N1bn (or US$2.8m) for medical centres with equipment and supplies, as well as a free telemedicine call centre facility.
Photo caption: Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa, Kennedy Uzoka (left), presenting a cheque of N1bn to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, as part of its donation of over N5bn (USD14m), through the UBA Foundation, to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic., in Lagos House, Marina on Sunday.
