Dipo Olowookere
Flour mills of Nigeria Plc has strengthened the fight against Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria by contributing N2 billion.
The leading food and agro-allied group in the country disclosed that the donation comprises N1 billion in cash and another N1 billion in food relief materials and medical equipment.
Managing Director of the firm, Mr Paul Gbededo, stated that, “These are very trying times, and our thoughts are with all Nigerians.
“While I commend the efforts of the government for the initiatives implemented to slow the pace of the outbreak so far, private sector organisations and governments at all levels must continue to collaborate in a bid to quickly end the pandemic in Nigeria, across Africa and indeed the world.”
He described the coronavirus outbreak as a humanitarian crisis with a devastating impact across the world, noting that, “To stem the tide of the virus, especially in the most vulnerable communities, the time to act is now.”
“Having developed a deep enduring relationship with Nigerians for the past 60 years, FMN is determined to do whatever it can to help in the face of these challenges,” he added.
It was gathered that Flour Mills made this donation as part of the Nigerian private sector response through the Coalition Against Coronavirus (CACOVID).
The N1 billion cash was given to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to help government tackle the pandemic in a concerted private-sector approach.
The company’s contributions are specifically intended to provide immediate support to the most affected parts of the country by providing cash, food products and medical supplies to frontline medical and emergency responders across the country
Seeing the economic hardships facing many people as a result of the necessary public health restrictions on movement, the company, in partnership with relevant government authorities, has also commenced donating food across the country in fulfilment of its purpose of Feeding the Nation, Everyday.
In the next couple of days, the company would have donated truck loads of its Golden Penny brand food products to Lagos and other states across Nigeria.
The company also disclosed that in addition to cash donations and food relief products, it would be providing medical aid through the donation of medical equipment and kits.
Flour Mills is importing COVID-19 pharmaceuticals and equipment including about 35,000 units of COVID-19 testing kits, 75 ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for 10,000 medical and emergency workers.
This medical equipment will provide the much-needed support to medical emergency workers across the country, who are selflessly working to ensure that Nigeria can slow down the transmission of the virus and save lives.
