UBA announces N5bn for COVID-19 relief support in Africa

* Donation to support Nigeria and 19 other African countries

Web Editor | ConsumerConnect
United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced a donation of over N5 billion (USD14 million), through the UBA Foundation, to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

According to the leading banking group, the donation will provide significant and much needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries by supplying relief materials, critical care facilities, and financial support to Governments.

The UBA support programme will be allocated as follows:
• N1 billion (USD2.8 million) to Lagos State Government in Nigeria
• N500 million (USD1.4 million) to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
• N1 billion (USD2.8 million) to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria
• N1.5 billion (USD4.2 million) to UBA’s presence countries in Africa
• N1 billion (USD2.8 million) for Medical Centres with equipment and supplies
• Free Telemedicine call centre facility

The pan-African bank will also fund a medical centre immediately in Lagos, Nigeria, with beds for isolation and ICU (Intensive Care Unit) facilities, managed and operated in partnership with Heirs Holdings’ healthcare subsidiary, Avon Medical Hospital.

Besides, the UBA is providing a free telemedicine platform, that is physician-led, to provide direct access to medical advice to citizens, in compliance with social distancing requirements.

In his remark, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman, UBA Group, said: “This is a time when we must all play our part.

“This global pandemic must bring citizens, governments and business leaders together – and quickly.

“As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the Coronavirus in Nigeria and Africa, the private sector has to work hand in hand with various Governments in stemming the spread of the global pandemic.

“We commend the efforts of governments, and we are keen to partner and contribute our resources to the collective effort that will ensure the response to the pandemic is swift and effective.”

United Bank for Africa, which operates in 20 African countries and globally, including the United Kingdom, the United States and France, has a robust record of supporting its communities, through challenging times as this.