THE European Union (EU) has granted Nigeria the sum of N21 billion (50 million Euro) to boost its fight against the spread of the alarming Coronavirus pandemic across the globe which has increased to 343 confirmed cases in Nigeria.
The Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Femi Adesina who disclosed this on Tuesday stated that President Muhammadu Buhari received the EU delegation to the country, led by Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, at the State House in Abuja during which the grant was made to the President to support Nigeria’s efforts toward curbing the spread of the pandemic.
The report also showed that EU has already paid 1.2 million Euros (635 million Naira) to UNICEF, and mobilizing other funding as well as goods purchased that are expected in the country soon.
Adesina also revealed that the Head of the EU delegation, Karlsen commended President over the broadcasts to the nation which detailed all the proactive and bold steps the government has taken toward the fight against the pandemics.
The EU had assured that it is working on all fronts against Coronavirus particularly protecting health, ensuring mobility, saving jobs, research to save lives and fighting disinformation.
According to Adesina, President Buhari lauded EU on the recent launch of the ‘Team Europe’ package to support countries in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic and its consequences, and assured the contribution would go a long way in supporting Nigeria’s efforts at controlling and containing the virus to prevent community spread, as well as revitalize the national health care systems.
He also stated that the President used the occasion to express sincere condolences of the Government and people of Nigeria to EU-member countries and families who lost their loved ones as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and communities impacted. We are confident from history that the resilience of Europe and our global collective will enable us to emerge stronger from this tragedy.
‘‘Although the EU is facing significant challenges due to this pandemic, I am indeed touched and grateful that the European Union still had the vision and foresight to remember its friends, partners and allies across the world.
‘‘Indeed, this brotherly support will save millions of lives. Nigeria, Africa and many beneficiary countries across the world will remain grateful for generations to come,’’ he said.
‘‘I want to assure you that in this fight, Nigerians are united and by the grace of God and the continued support from our partners, we shall succeed,’’ Buhari said.
In his remarks, Ambassador Karlsen described the donation as a response to President Buhari’s appeal for assistance over the predicament routed through the UN COVID-19 Basket fund adding that so far, the package is the largest single contribution to Nigeria in emergency and the largest support that EU is providing anywhere outside Europe.
‘‘We heard your call for assistance and the EU has reacted swiftly as a demonstration of our true partnership,’’ Karlsen said.
I thought the world is strongly avoiding and strongly suggesting physical distancing? Was it therefore necessary for the ambassador to come in person to the state house, Abuja to make the donation? Teleconferencing and any other visual media should have sufficed! Infact, let these people open up their game plan. It has lost the needed steam!