Buhari lauds CACOVID interventions for elevating his status among comity of nations 

By Business AM

President Muhammadu Buhari, has commended the remarkable achievements of the private sector-led Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID), noting that the initiative of private sector operators and  contributions he has received from the Coalition so far has elevated his status among other presidents of the world.

The President, who stated this in Abuja while receiving a parting donation of N12 billion security equipment for the Military and the Nigeria Police from the leadership of CACOVID, confirmed that his government had received so much support from the private sector in addressing social ills in the country.

CACOVID has also received commendation from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which rated the coalition as the third largest contributor in the world to the fight against Covid-19 virus, the outbreak of which in 2020 brought the world to its knees.

The  coalition members, during their visitation to the president, presented the leader with some items including 100 Tata 14 tonne Troop carriers, 100 Tata 12 tonne Troop carriers, 86 Toyota pick-up trucks, 64 Nissan Navara pick-up trucks with their spare parts, 13,000 helmets as well as 13,000 bullet proof vests.

An excited President Buhari while thanking the CACOVID on behalf of the Military and the Police said: “Today is indeed a very happy day for all Nigerians, and I can happily say that I am the envy of many Presidents in the world. I am exceedingly honoured to be the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at this time.

“I am gratified to have the honour of leading a country whose private sector willingly galvanises itself to raise funds to enthusiastically support the government in resolving social ills. I am proud to say that there is nowhere in the entire world, except in Nigeria, where the private sector has voluntarily come together to assist government efforts.

Buhari also thanked the coalition for supporting his administration’s efforts to strengthen the police and military as it continues to face the security challenges that all modern nations face.  He noted that such a patriotic gesture was proof that nationalistic determination is still alive in Nigeria, in the face of enormous challenges pervading the world and the country.

Speaking while handing over the items, Aliko Dangote, chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), who initiated the coalition alongside  Herbert Wigwe, the Group managing director of Access Bank Plc,explained that the coalition was winding down with the latest donation.

The  foremost industrialist  listed other business leaders brought together under CACOVID to include Folorunsho Alakija, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia, Segun Agbaje, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Femi Otedola, Adesola Adedotun, Karl Toriola, Haresh Aswani, Raj Gupta, and John Coumantaros, all of who contributed several billions of naira each and supported the CACOVID effort with advocacy. In all, according to him, over 100 organisations and private individuals contributed to CACOVID.

Dangote gave reason for the donation saying that as the worst of the Covid crisis waned in Nigeria, the security situation deteriorated, partly due to economic disruptions caused by the shutdown of the global and national economy.

Therefore, to provide additional response support to the Government, the ADF Chairman said CACOVID embarked on another fundraising effort, which enabled it to purchase the items for the Police and the Military.

Recalling the birth of CACOVID, Dangote explained that the coalition as a timely response to the outbreak of the deadly covid-19 virus was borne out of the previous experience with Ebola elsewhere in West Africa, which made him to recognise the fact that the potential crisis looming was very serious

“And so together with Herbert Wigwe, we set up CACOVID and drafted our peers in the private sector to join our efforts. The CBN Governor joined our efforts very early and chaired the group. We knew straight away that we had a responsibility to act and support the efforts of the government as quickly as possible to avert disaster”, Dangote noted.

Dangote  also disclosed that In addition to the leadership team, the coalition set up a technical committee to guide its purchasing decisions, which was critical, given the prevailing confusion around testing and treatment options, and the lack of successful models anywhere in the world.

He listed members of the committee to include leading Nigerian scientists and public health professionals, the DG of NCDC, DG of the Presidential Task force on Covid-19, representatives of WHO, BMGF and the UN.

“In addition, a core team of select staff members from our organisations manned the initiative’s operations Centre 7 days a week for several months planning, coordinating, and delivering on the various activities of the coalition,” Dangote noted.

While enumerating all the supports the Coalition has offered the nation in the last two years, Dangote disclosed that the group mobilised its members and raised N62 billion to provide 39 fully kitted isolation centers in all 36 States and FCT; Testing Supplies for almost one million tests; Food for 10 million vulnerable individuals across the country; Oxygen and tanks to the most affected states; Support for vaccines delivery and distribution across the Nation; Support to re-open the economy (Travel Portal, IT, airport scanners/PPE and other support) with communications and advocacy campaigns around prevention and against disinformation.

According to Dangote, the donation marks the end of the CACOVID initiative as it winds down what has been deemed an example of patriotism, solidarity and efficiency in terms of partnership between the public and private sectors. This, according to him, is a lesson in the power of collaboration for a worthy cause.

Also speaking on the activities of CACOVID, Godwin Emefiele, governor,Central Bank of Nigeria,  who led the CACOVID Committee told the President he was proud to be part of the Coalition that supported the government in its fight against insecurity.

“I am immensely gratified by what CACOVID has achieved in its few years of existence. The nationalist and patriotic drive of my colleagues therein is unmatched anywhere in the world and must be applauded. The Coalition is a good example of what Nigeria must become:  a nation of patriotic solidarity of individuals and corporations, and effective collaboration of the public and private sectors,” he said.