COVID-19: Dangote’s N200m Donation Melts Buhari’s Heart

By Dipo Olowookere

The decision of Africa’s richest man, Mr Aliko Dangote, to donate the sum of N200 million to assist in combating the deadly coronavirus also known as COVID-19 has been applauded by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The businessman, through his Aliko Dangote Foundation, made the huge amount of money available for the relevant agencies to tackle the influx of the virus.

The coronavirus, since its outbreak in Wahul, China in January 2020, has spread to over 50 countries in the world. It has claimed about 3,000 lives and infected nearly 90,000 persons.

Last week, Nigeria recorded the first case in the country when an Italian visited Nigeria from Turkey for a business meeting in Lagos and Ogun States.

He has since be quarantined and receiving treatment in Lagos. The situation caused tension in the country, but President Buhari this week urged residents to remain calm and not panic.

Not too long ago, Mr Dangote, through his non-profit organisation, donated N200 million to fight the disease.

This gesture touched the heart of the President, who through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said this was commendable.

Mr Adesina said, “The President recalls that the organisation had in the past donated N1 billion to tackle Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Africa, commending such public spiritedness to other well-to-do individuals and groups.”

According to Mr Buhari, “Hand in hand, standing shoulder to shoulder, we can confront our challenges as a country. This is a path for us all to follow as a people.”

The statement said the President used the “opportunity to reiterate his earlier charge that Nigerians should take the necessary hygiene precautions, rather than panic about the Covid-19, after discovery of the index case in the country last week.”

“The President says government, at various levels, is poised to ensure that the country and her people remain safe from the virus, which is spreading rapidly in many parts of the world,” Mr Adesina said.