COVID-19 Triggers Public And Government Solidarity In Nigeria

Photo illustration (Muhammadtaha Ibrahim / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 pandemic is a big dilemma for every country. It's a big problem for the economy. However, on the other hand, he must be a big focus in allocating state finances. But, where is there a value for money that is comparable to human life.

In Nigeria, the authorities have allocated 10 billion naira or 27 million US dollars to combat the spread of the corona virus. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said the money would be channeled to Lagos State.

Lagos is the commercial hub in Nigeria, with the highest number of COVID-19 cases. A big hit, of course.

"This grant will enable Lagos to increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak. Meanwhile, (the grant) also supports other countries with capacity building," President Buhari said in a tweet.

The immediate release of a 10 billion Naira grant to Lagos State, which remains the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria. This grant will enable Lagos increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak, while also supporting other States with capacity-building.

- Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 26, 2020

As reported by CNN, the Nigerian government is currently releasing a special fund of 5 billion Naira (US $ 13 million) to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), an institution that is at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. "A special fund to the NCDC is set up to equip, expand and supply its personnel, facilities and laboratories across the country."

The philanthropist united

It is not only the government, in Nigeria, solidarity is built closely between citizens. Generous bourgeois, civil society organizations and local banks are contributing billions of naira to help fund media centers and provide the necessary equipment to contain the pace of COVID-19.

In fact, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), last Thursday, March 26, has announced a donation of 5 billion naira (13 million US dollars). The money is used to provide beds for isolation centers, intensive care unit facilities and direct access to care for more than 450,000 residents every day.

Among the generous bourgeoisie, including Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Herbert Wigwe, Segun Agbaje and Aliko Dangote, all of them each contributed 1 billion naira (2.7 million US dollars) to unite against COVID-19.

In the latest monitoring, currently, Nigeria has recorded a total of 70 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Most of them were in Lagos with 44 cases and the Nigerian capital, Abuja with 14 cases.