Lagos State Government says it has received a cheque of N1 billion from the United Bank for Africa (UBA), as part of the bank’s commitment to help curb the spread of Coronavirus.
A statement by Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said the cheque was presented to the governor, by the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Kenneth Uzoka on Sunday at Lagos House, Marina.
Receiving the cheque, Sanwo-Olu thanked the financial institution for the support, as the money will go a long way to assist the state in kicking out the pandemic.
”We appreciate UBA. This is not the kind of money that we would want to take for granted.
”This is really an important intervention and this fund will go a long way to meet all of our needs both now and in the future, to ensure that Lagos continues to remain safe for business.
”We are indeed happy that you decided to make this very bold move to support the health facility infrastructure in Lagos.
”You can be rest assured that once the structures have been developed, we will call you again to see what we have put these resources to,” he said.
Also speaking, Uzoka, said that the N1 billion donation was also in fulfilment of the N5 billion commitment made by the UBA Group Chairman, Mr Tony Elumelu.
He said that as a socially responsible institution, UBA cared for its communities and for Lagos State, which had recorded the highest number of positive cases thus far, hence, needing special attention.
According to him, the decision to give Lagos N1 billion is as a result of the important role that the state plays in the economy of not only Nigeria, but Africa as a whole, given its vast population and other key economic factors.
”Given the population of this state and that it is the business nerve centre, we at UBA are committed to lending our support to the state government.
”So today, we are giving you and the state N1 billion to support your endeavour in fighting the Coronavirus disease.
”I will not fail to mention that this was not an easy decision for us because Lagos is just one of the many states in Nigeria.
”However, we looked at the importance of Lagos to Nigeria, but more importantly, we looked at the fact that Lagos has set up the right structure to administer whatever it is that we are giving to the state.
”So, we are rest assured, because we believe without an iota of doubt that the state will use these funds effectively and efficiently,” he said.
The bank had announced a donation of over N5 billion equivalent to 14 million dollars, through the UBA Foundation, to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the COVID-19 global pandemic.