By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An additional N300 million has been donated by Union Bank of Nigeria Plc for the fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.
This donation is part of the company’s multi-pronged approach to tackle the spread of virus and help the government’s efforts towards achieving this goal.
As part of the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19, Union Bank has contributed N250 million into the fund set up by the coalition to raise N120 billion to fight the outbreak in Nigeria.
In addition, the bank also made a further donation of N50 million to the Lagos State Covid-19: Emergency Food Response programme which was setup to support low income families who will be directly impacted by the state-wide restrictions in place to limit the spread of the disease. Lagos State currently has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.
Commenting on the bank’s active efforts to tackle COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, said, “The fight against COVID-19 requires all hands-on deck with close collaboration between the public and private sector.
“Union Bank is committed to supporting Nigeria’s response to ensure the country avoids a pandemic. We will especially be looking to support ordinary Nigerians who will be disproportionately impacted economically at this time.”
Last week, as part of its immediate response to the outbreak, the bank made an initial donation of N50 million into a $500,000 fund set up by 54gene, an African genomics research, services and development company working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to fight the COVID-19 menace.
Dipo Olowookere 
Aduragbemi Omiyale