At a time when a few Nigerians are gaining notoriety for involving themselves in some ignoble acts around the world, another set of people from the country are being honoured for their contribution to the fight against COVID-19.
The outbreak of Coronavirus saw an outpouring of generosity and earnest desire to help others around the world and Nigerians were not left out in the gesture.
While some contributed money and material resources to help the government tackle the rising cases of COVID-19, others were at the forefront of the pandemic offering their expertise and helping people navigate the devastating situation.
In recognition of these sacrifices, the recently released Neusroom 100 which highlighted 100 people, organizations, countries, and things helping the world conquer COVID-19, featured nine Nigerians among the 40 individuals that were honoured in the list.
Among the list was the late founder of Elizabeth R, Mrs Ibidunni Ighodalo; Africa’s richest person and chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul-Samad Rabiu; the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu; and social entrepreneur and founder of LifeBank, Temie Giwa-Tubosun.
Others include the chairman of UBA Group and founder of Heirs Holding, Tony O. Elumelu; the founder and chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga; and the founder of the first air ambulance service in West Africa — Flying Doctors Nigeria, Dr. Ola Orekunrin-Brown.
These individuals played important roles, alongside many others in ensuring that Africa’s most populous country does not slip into a devastating COVID-19 outbreak.
Through their donations, expertise, and leadership, the spread of the Coronavirus in this part of the world was reduced to the barest minimum.
According to ID Africa CEO, Femi Falodun, the Neusroom 100 project was created as “a celebration of hope, and an acknowledgement of humanity’s collective will to survive.”
He added that it “highlights the sacrifices and contributions of women, men, organizations, nations and even things – products of humanity’s creativity that are helping the world win in this long fight against COVID-19.”
The list also recognized some organizations in Nigeria, including the NCDC, MTN, MultiChoice, UBA, Reckitt Benckiser, CACOVID, and GTBank.
The pandemic which caught the world unawares persists to date.
At the beginning of the year when it all began, nobody knew it was going to subdue or change the world as we know it. But in just a few months, almost all parts of the world have been affected, sparking a global lockdown.
To arrest the situation, social and business activities were restricted, schools were shut down, international flights were suspended and many people have been thrown into despair and economic hardship.
Halfway into the year, the momentum of the deadly pandemic is slowly coming under control, and it’s all thanks to those who have been working hard, day and night, pouring in their resources and expertise to make things better.
Among them are these Nigerians who were honoured for various contributions.
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