By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) has so far realised about N15.3 billion as contributions to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
This was made known in a document released by Mr Isaac Okorafor, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Director, Corporate Communications Department, in Abuja on Wednesday.
The document showed that the money raised as at April 1, had CBN and Aliko Dangote as the highest contributors of N2 billion each.
It also revealed that Mr Abdul Samad Rabiu (BUA Sugar Refinery), Mr Segun Agbaje (GTB), Mr Tony Elumelu (UBA), Oba Otudeko (First Bank), Mr Jim Ovia (Zenith Bank), Mr Herbert Wigwe (Access Bank) and Mr Femi Otedola of Amperion Power Distribution all donated N1 billion each to the relief fund, while Mr Deji Adeleke of Pacific Holding Ltd made N500 million donation.
According to the document, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Citi Bank Nigeria Ltd, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, African Steel Mills donated N250 million each, while Multichoice Nigeria Limited contributed N200 million
The coalition said other contributors who gave N100 million were FSDH Merchant Bank, FBN Merchant Bank, Rand Merchant Bank, Coronation Merchant Bank, Sun Trust Bank, Providus Bank, Wema Bank, Unity Bank, Heritage Bank, Nova Merchant Bank, Polaris Bank, and Keystone Bank.
It stated that Globus Bank, Titan Trust Bank, Takagro Chemicals Ltd donated N50 million each, while Ahmadu Mahmoud gave N20 million, while Handy Capital Ltd donated N5 million.
It noted that the coalition was full of appreciation to the good spirited and generous individuals and corporate bodies for hearkening to the clarion call championed by the CBN and the private sector.
The CBN then urged more Nigerians and corporate bodies to key into the coalition with a view to supporting the fight against the pandemic, stressing that Nigeria could overcome the scourge with all hands on deck.
So far, the country has recorded 174 cases of the pandemic, with nine recoveries made and two deaths.
Modupe Gbadeyanka