The Federal Government has commended the private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) initiative in addressing social ills.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja, while receiving a parting donation of N12 billion for security equipment from CACOVID.
The President was particularly happy with the CACOVID members, with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who pooled N40 billion to combat COVID-19 in Nigeria, thereby making him the “envy of many presidents of the world.”
Other items handed over to the President by the group included 100 Tata 14 ton troop carriers, 100 Tata 12 ton 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 .
Buhari said: “This final gesture from CACOVID as you wind down your activities is equally very important.
“Thank you for supporting our administration’s efforts to strengthen the Police and Military as we face the security challenges that all modern nations face.
“These 350 vehicles and thousands of vests and helmets you are handing over today will go a long way in boosting the capacity of our forces.”
The CACOVID initiative is an example of patriotism, solidarity and efficiency in terms of partnership between the public and private sectors.
Winding down
Speaking, at the handing over of the items, President of the Aliko Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, who initiated the Coalition with the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, explained that CACOVID was winding down with this latest donation.
He said that other members of the CACOVID included Mrs. 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.
Dangote “For the last two years, the leadership team met on a weekly basis, mobilised others in the private sector, and were able to raise N82 billion to provide 39 fully kitted isolation centres, testing supplies for almost 1 million tests and food for 10 million vulnerable individuals across the country.”
He added that from the N82 billion, the CACOVID team also donated oxygen and tanks to the most affected states, supported vaccines delivery and distribution, supported the reopening of the economy via travel portal, IT, airport scanners and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), among others.
He expressed appreciation to the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 team led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, for their excellent collaboration.
He informed that the donation of the security vehicles and equipment marked the end of the CACOVID initiative, which he described as “an example of patriotism, solidarity and efficiency in terms of partnership between the public and private sectors.”
Also speaking, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, 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.
