Tolu Ogunlesi, the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Digital/New Media, has allayed fears bothering on donations made by private individuals and businesses towards the COVID-19 fight.
Led by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, some well-meaning Nigerians contributed financially to assist the Federal Government rid the nation of the pandemic.
Over N20bn have been amassed by the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), a body set up by these private business tycoons and multinationals to support the government.
” CACOVID (Coalition Against COVID-19) is an initiative that I am leading with other private sector leaders, and our common goal is to support ongoing Government initiatives with our resources in the fight against Covid-19,” Dangote said.
Nigerians have expressed fears over the judicious use of the funds.
However, drawing up his conclusion from Dangote’s statement, Ogunlesi assured Nigerians that the donations won’t be handed directly to the FG.
The presidential media aide revealed that the funds will be spent on whatever the CACOVID agrees.
“As explained above, CACOVID is a private sector initiative to support Government. They will not hand any money over to any government. Instead, they will spend the money (their money) to build, equip, and upgrade healthcare facilities in line with the needs of Federal and State Governments,” Ogunlesi said.
“Consequently, the federal government has given them a list of needed equipment and commodities.
“Therefore, the question of asking that donations be used to provide palliative cannot arise.”
