… Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Femi Otedola, Herbert Wigwe, Jim Ovia, Segun Agbaje, Abdulsamad Rabiu, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele made the list
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a Nigerian Private Sector Coalition against the lethal COVID-19 and the setting up of four major committees.
One of which is the Funding Committee comprising All-Nigeria Club of billionaires.
Membership includes Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Femi Otedola, Herbert Wigwe, Jim Ovia, Segun Agbaje, Abdulsamad Rabiu and the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele announced the committees on Thursday in Abuja in an eight-page press statement obtained by Persecondnews.
The Coalition has mandated each member to “ensure that his institution contributes at least N1 billion’’ to the pool while it welcomes more members into the club “who are willing to contribute at least N1 billion.
Other committees are Steering Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, who is currently the Chairman of the Federal Government Committee on COVID-19.
Its job is to steer the coalition and the committees in procuring all needed funding, equipment and materials for the fight against the pandemic.
The Operational Committee comprising the CBN Governor, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, GT Bank, Stanbic-IBTC, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, Unity Bank and the Nigerian Breweries Plc, is responsible for project management, logistics, communication and advocacy.
It also set up the Technical Committee whose membership is drawn from NCDC, WHO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Federal Ministry of Health and select members of Operational and Funding Committees.
According to Emefiele, the committee will gather data about equipment and materials needed across the country, provide intellectual leadership on testing issues, treatment protocols, isolation centres among others.
The coalition named Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Dr Christian Happi and Dr Phillip Onyebujo as some of the reputable consultants to engage.
So far, the Coalition has put the cost of procuring needed equipment, materials and infrastructure for the COVID-19 fight at N120 billion.
“The Bankers Committee and important stakeholders will be required to step up to support this endeavour.
“We are already engaging other important stakeholders in Nigeria and abroad such as the NNPC and players in oil industry.
“An account will be set up at the CBN to receive both Naira and foreign currencies from our donors,’’ the statement said.
Urging all Nigerians to join in the fight, it said:“The need for all Nigerians to play a role in this fight cannot be understated as we are quite literally in the fight of our lives.’’
“It is not about bringing money, your time, your services, your products will all be helpful.’’
It commended the Federal Government for its giant strides in the fight, stressing “it is clear that the private sector needs to step in and support efforts being made.’’
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[covid19 country="Nigeria" title="Nigeria" style="2"
label_confirmed="Confirmed" label_deaths="Deaths"
label_recovered="Recovered"]
[covid19]
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