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 Ambassador Ketil
Karlsen, President Buhari said 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 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,” he said.
The President also lauded EU on the recent launch of the “Team Europe”
package to support countries in the fight against the coronavirus
pandemic and its consequences.
The President noted that the intervention, which is a collaboration
between EU, its member states, and financial institutions such as the
European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, would go a long way in ensuring the impact of this pandemic
was controlled and contained.
”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.
The President told the delegation that his administration had done a lot
to date in the fight against COVID-19.
”So far, the number of confirmed cases in Nigeria is 343. Our efforts
as a Government have focused on controlling and containing the virus to
prevent community spread.
”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,” he said.
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.
”We heard your call for assistance and the EU has reacted swiftly as a
demonstration of our true partnership,” he said.
The EU Ambassador congratulated the President 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.”
He also announced that the 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.