President Muhammadu Buhari has commended public-spirited Nigerians and organisations for their financial and material support towards combating the Covid-19 scourge in the country, with donations to the Federal Government received so far totalling almost N697,538,108.

Citing the provision of isolation, treatment and laboratory centres/facilities by individuals and companies such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Guaranty Trust Bank and Thisday Newspapers and Partners among others in several states and Federal Capital Territory, the President called on other privileged Nigerians and bodies to emulate these laudable gestures.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, today, the President explained that the financial contribution ranged from small amounts of N5, N10, N14, N20 by individuals to huge deposits of N200 million by Dantata Property Development; N100 million by Ocean Trust Ltd; and N25 million by the Nigeria Social Trust Fund (NSITF), among others.

According to President Buhari, “we are facing a national challenge and all hands must be on deck to navigate this difficult course. In this respect, all types of assistance are welcome, big or small. The spirit behind the contributions is salutary.”

The statement pointed out that the nearly N700million was realised from 111 individuals and organisations into the FGN Covid-19 Eradication Support Accounts in the five designated banks between April 1-30, 2020, according to records obtained from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

“The above consists of small payments of N5, N10, N14, N20 by individuals to huge deposits of N200 million by Dantata Property Development; N100 million by Ocean Trust Ltd; N25 million by NSITF; N20 million by Ebele and Anyichuks Foundation; N15 million by Nizamiya Hospital Abuja; and N10 million each by Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship and Association of Bureau De Change (BDC) respectively, among others”, Shehu added.