BREAKING: EU Donates N21 Billion To Nigeria To Tackle COVID-19

The European Union has donated the sum of N21 billion naira to Nigeria to support the fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Confirming the donated sum in a statement issued by the presidency on Tuesday via its verified twitter handle, President Muhammadu Buhari commended the EU for its magnanimity to the country, adding that ‘the donation would go a long way in supporting Nigeria’s efforts at controlling and containing the virus to prevent community spread, as well as revitalise the national health care systems.’

The statement reads: “President @MBuhari Tuesday in Abuja commended the European Union for donating the sum of N21 billion (50 million Euros) to support Nigeria’s efforts at controlling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Receiving the EU delegation to the country, led by Amb Ketil Karlsen, President Buhari said the donation would go a long way in supporting Nigeria’s efforts at controlling & containing the virus to prevent community spread, as well as revitalise the national health care systems.

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.

In his remarks, Ambassador Karlsen described the donation, channelled through the UN COVID-19 basket fund as, so far, the largest single contribution to the response in Nigeria and the largest support that EU is providing anywhere outside Europe.

“The EU Ambassador congratulated President @MBuhari for ‘a very powerful address to the nation last night’ stressing indeed the current situation is no joke and we wish to commend you for taking bold and necessary measures.” The presidency stated.

He also announced that the European Union was mobilising other sources of funding, noting that they have already paid 1.2 million Euros to UNICEF, and goods purchased through that funding are expected in the country soon.