KDSG thanks donors to Covid-19 Fund

Kaduna State Government has expressed its gratitude to the individuals, firms and agencies that have donated cash donations amounting to N641 million to its Covid-19 fund.

In a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye on Tuesday, the government noted that many of the donors have responded to its stated preference for donations in kind.

The Special Adviser however noted that some donors have also made their donations both in cash and in kind, adding that ‘’cash donations of N641m have been credited to the Covid-19 account.’’

The statement said that Governor Nasir El Rufai welcomed the positive disposition of its partners and Kaduna State Government has received them with immense gratitude.

El Rufai expressed delight by the pledges of medical equipment to support health sector resilience.

‘’As we invest in the construction of more treatment facilities and other initiatives in the health sector, we are confident of the support of our private sector and development partners,’’ the governor was quoted as saying.

“We thank CACOVID, the private sector alliance, for the unprecedented deliveries of food to our warehouses to support low-income, poor and vulnerable persons.

‘’Other firms have made direct donations of cash, food items, and other materials. We do not take this support for granted,’’ the statement quoted the governor as saying.

The statement further said that El-Rufai also acknowledged the donations of political appointees and all public servants in Kaduna State to the fund.

According to the statement, El Rufai ‘’disclosed that the Kaduna State National Assembly Caucus and the honorable members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly also made contributions to the Covid-19 to the fund.’’

The governor welcomed this as a concrete demonstration of concern for others, especially citizens deprived of any guaranteed income by the impact of the ongoing public health emergency, the statement added.

El Rufai said that ‘’ he was particularly touched by the gesture of ordinary citizens who have donated sums like N10, N100 and N1000, amounts that demonstrate that the spirit of charity is strong even in those who do not have much.’’

The statement said that BUA Group, United Bank for Africa(UBA), Bank of Industry, Nigerian Breweries and others have made cash donations, adding that ‘’Dangote Foundation, Flour Mills, Olam and Nestle have provided support in kind.

‘’Leadway Assurance also kindly offered an insurance package for health workers which Kaduna State Government has augmented to increase the sums assured. The CACOVID alliance is also donating unprecedented supplies of food,’’ Adekeye said.

The state government is delighted by the many pledges it has received for medical equipment to strengthen the resilience of its health sector to respond to this and future public health emergencies.