Former vice president Atiku Abubakar on Friday earned the rare praise of President Muhammadu Buhari for standing up to be counted in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
Abubakar had pledged N50 million to the national cause. And Buhari jettisoned politics to salute Abubakar, his 2019 election adversary.
Presidential media adviser Femi Adesina said Buhari also praised other wealthy Nigerians, especially members of the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 for contributing N1 billion each.
Buhari urged others in the private sector to follow the example of the Coalition members.
Members of the Coalition are Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu of BUA Group, Femi Otedola of Geregu Power and Tony Elumelu of UBA, who had pledged N5billion.
Other members are Herbert Wigwe of Access Bank, Segun Agbaje of GTB and Jim Ovia of Zenith Bank.
First Bank is providing e-learning solutions to at least one million children, in partnership with government, the United Nations, and innovative technological firms.
This is being done under the bank’s ‘Keep Them Engaged, Keep Them Safe’ initiative, Adesina said.
Buhari praised other individuals, groups and organisations, for offering help, behind the scene.
Buhari hoped the country will overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic, and chart a new course in nationalism and brotherhood.
