See how EU shows support to Nigeria in fighting coronavirus

President Muhammadu Buhari, has commended the European Union, EU for donating the sum of N21 billion (50 million Euros) to support Nigeria in the fight against coronavirus.

This donation which was made on Tuesday in Abuja was an efforts from the Union to Nigeria to help in fighting the continuous spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Receiving the EU delegation to the country, chaired by Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, President Buhari said the donation would go a long way in supporting Nigeria’s efforts at controlling and containing the pandemic virus.

He also said the donation will prevent community spread, as well as revive the national health care systems.

President Buhari expressed sincere condolences of the Government and people of Nigeria to EU-member countries and families who lost their families and loved ones as a result of the deadly COVID-19.

His words: ‘‘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.”

The President also lauded EU recently on the launch of the “Team Europe” package to support countries in the war against the coronavirus and its consequences.

The President noted that the intervention, which is a collaboration between EU, its member states, and financial institutions like the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, would go a long way in ensuring the impact of the 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 tackle coronavirus.

‘‘So far, the number of confirmed cases in Nigeria is 343. Our efforts as a Government have focused on controlling and containing the pandemic virus and preventing it to spread to communities.

‘‘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 Ambassador Karlsen’s remarks, he described the donation, coveyed through the UN COVID-19 purse 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 commended the President Buhari for ‘‘a very powerful address to the nation last night’’, adding that ‘‘indeed the current situation is no joke and we wish to commend you for taking bold and necessary measures.’’

He also revealed that the Union was mobilizing other sources of funding, pointing out that they have already paid 1.2 million Euros to UNICEF, and goods bought through that funding are expected to arrive in the country.