Towards the well-being of those on the front-line of Nigeria’s battle to contain the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, a reputable crowd-funding platform, Giving.ng, has announced a fundraising campaign to support health workers.
The initiative noted the huge support of companies and individuals to the fight against the scourge through cash donation and material support, including the provision of infrastructure, but that none has specifically spoken to the needs of the health workers. Therefore, it seeks to do just that.
Tagged Health Workers Fund, the campaign aims to source N1 billion from the public, to be disbursed to frontline medical workers as hazard allowance instead of the current meagre N5,000 a month.
“We are delighted to call for support for our amazing health workers who toil day and night to keep this pandemic out of Nigeria,” the Head of Sterling One Foundation, Peju Ibekwe, said in a statement.
“We believe members of the public and corporate organisations should donate to this worthy cause because it is for the safety of all. This initiative aims to increase the paltry sum our health workers receive as hazard allowance.
“We understand the importance of doing our part in supporting our local health workers to give them the necessary motivation to combat this infectious disease which can endanger everyone.”
According to the Chief Operating Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, Raheem Owodeyi, the bank believes that “being a responsible company means not just serving and benefiting from an interconnected world but also taking steps to care for the well-being of everyone, especially in times like this.
“We encourage everyone across the country – our employees, agents, customers, SMEs, partners, and corporate Nigeria – to step up and show their support.”
The bank has donated N25, 000, 000 to the fund and earnestly encourages well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to equally contribute their quota by visiting www.giving.ng/covid19.