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CACOVID Orders for 400,000 COVID-19 Tests to Increase Nigeria’s Testing Capacity
The Private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) has ordered for 250,000 supplies for tests and another 150,000 extraction kits to fast-track molecular testing for the deadly coronavirus, noting that the reality of the situation at hand was such that efforts must be put together with no stone left unturned in dealing with the scourge.
The coalition also disclosed that no less than 1.7 million households would benefit from its food relief package as part of complementary efforts to help alleviate the effects of the lockdown and restrictions adopted by governments across the nation.
Briefing newsmen in Lagos on the group’s activities in helping the Federal Government halt the spread of the virus, leaders of CACOVID stated that the coalition has set up isolation centers in five states of Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Borno and Enugu as well as FCT, while renovations of hospitals and medical supplies are being carried out in other states.
Zouera Youssoufou, Chief Executive Officer of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), explained that all the partners in CACOVID are ready to roll out in all parts of the country having commenced building and equipping of isolation centers in some states.
According to her, there are currently three testing platforms for molecular testing in Nigeria, one of which is the “Open PCR machines”, which the Coalition has ordered for 10 units, with eight laboratories certified to conduct COVID-19 tests.
Ms. Youssoufou said, “Open PCR machine is currently the standard platform. Eight labs in Nigeria are certified to conduct COVID-19 testing; 10 new PCR machines and 150,000 extraction kits have been ordered. The other is Roche Cobus Platform with 6 Machines in Nigeria, each capable of testing 960 tests at a time. Nigeria was on track to receive 38,000 but we have ordered 250,000. 10,000 tests ordered by UNICEF have arrived on Thursday, April 16.
“We also have Cepheid Gene Expert Machines – there are 400 machines installed in the country. 250 are expected to be functional with trained lab technicians. Cepheid has developed a COVID-19 testing cartridge that has received FDA approval, and will begin shipping to Africa in two weeks. We have ordered 250,000 cartridges and expect shipment receipt in two weeks.”
In his remarks, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, said the Coalition right from the onset knew the fight against coronavirus was not going to be easy but would require collaborative efforts of all.
He said the CACOVID-19 is approaching the fight against the virus from three levels, “One, it was clear from beginning that no one institution can go it alone, so we solicit everybody’s cooperation in tackling this scourge. Two, while several measures are being taken to stop the spread, including lockdowns, restriction, social distancing, there is the need to address the hunger. How do we cater for the feeding needs of the people if these measures are to be effective?”
Wigwe explained that the third level was the thought leadership aspect of the plan which is to tackle the post-pandemic aspect. According to him, “a lot of businesses have been badly affected and economies have been disrupted. How do we get them back to life after we might have defeated the coronavirus?”
The Access Bank GMD explained the modalities to be adopted to get the food relief materials to the targeted households, pointing out that it would be done from the bottom of the pyramid, which is the 774 local government areas where the CACOVID partners would be assigned to deliver the materials.
He said he was optimistic that the food relief materials would reach all intended beneficiaries because, according to him, it was a path that has already been trodden by Aliko Dangote Foundation, which has been distributing foods to the vulnerable in the states and has been achieving results.
Also, responding during the briefing, Mr. Ferdi Moolman, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, urged other private sector organisations which are yet to identify with CACOVID in the onerous task to join hands and make their modest contributions.
Justifying why no organisation could afford to stay aloof, Mr. Moolman said the whole world is not at peace presently and every nation is on its own fighting the battle of COVID-19.
Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) said it has commenced moves to ensure that its website was linked to the portals of institutions to enable ease of verification.
Mustapha Iyal, executive director, Operations of NELFUND, made this known during a sensitisation programme at the University of Ilorin for higher institutions in Kwara state recently.
Sharing more insight on the update, Iyal said: “We observed that one of the problems we are having is the problem of verification. So what NELFUND is trying to do is that we want to engage the institutions directly by linking the NELFUND activities on the institutional portals so by doing that when a student is trying to do registration in school, they can select whether they want to pay via NELFUND, cash or other means.
“So if the student opts to pay with NELFUND, they will fill in the application with their details which are already on the institutional portals so they don’t have to go to the NELFUND portal. That is the kind of portal we are looking at. We want to create a synergy.”
Speaking further on complaints raised by students of beneficiary institutions in Kwara state, the NELFUND official said the organisation has commenced work on issues raised.
He said: “On the issues raised by the students, we are working on ways to make the whole process seamless. We have already started working on the issues. We work 24 hours and we are always there for the student.”
Also speaking, Umar Farouk, a representative of the National Association of Nigerian Students on the NELFUND board, lauded the move by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to establish the student loan initiative.
According to Farouk, the move will further encourage indigent students to have access to higher education.
He stated: “One of the campaign promises of the President is the student loan and I am happy to say that the student loan fund is here to stay. Nigerians can now understand that children of nobodies can now access higher education easily. With access to student loan, everyone now has the ease to go to school.”
The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.
Operators in the insurance sector have been advised to have a rethink on their traditional approaches to business and embrace change with agility and the wave of digital transformation in modern business. Doing so, he stated, will enable them remain relevant and competitive in the business world.
The Chairman, Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Kunle Ahmed, gave the advice at the 2025 Insurance Chief Executives’ retreat organised by the insurers in Lagos.
Speaking on the relevance of the theme of the year’s retreat, “Digital Disruption and Social Innovation: Reshaping Our Traditional Models,” Ahmed said, “As we discuss digital disruption, I urge you to consider the following questions: how can we leverage technology to better understand and serve our customers, how can we harness the power of data to drive decision-making and innovation, most importantly, how can we create a seamless and integrated digital experience that not only meets but exceeds customer expectations?”
He said equally important was the role of social innovation in reshaping the insurance industry, adding that as insurers, operators have responsibility to address the evolving needs of their diverse communities and ensure that their services were inclusive, accessible, and beneficial to all.
“Social innovation challenges us to think beyond profit margins and focus on creating positive social impact. Inclusive insurance, for instance, aims to provide financial protection to underserved and vulnerable populations. By developing products that cater to the unique needs of these communities, we can foster financial inclusion and resilience. Similarly, sustainable insurance practices can help mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote environmental stewardship,” he said.
He urged the insurers that as they explore the concept of social innovation, they should reflect on how to design insurance products that were not only profitable but also socially impactful.
He further said they should think about how to engage with stakeholders to drive collective action towards sustainability as well as how to measure and communicate the social and environmental benefits of their initiatives.
Ahmed told the insurers that the journey of digital disruption and social innovation was not one that they could embark on alone, adding that it required collaboration, partnership, and a shared vision for the future.
He said as industry leaders, they must work together to foster a culture of innovation, openness, and continuous learning.
In a major stride toward fostering innovation and collaboration, the UK and Nigeria have officially launched the Creative Industries Technical Working Group, marking a pivotal development in the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP). This partnership aims to deepen bilateral ties and create a robust framework for growth within the creative sectors of both nations.
L-R: UK Head of Trade Policy for Nigeria (DBT), Mujina Kaindama; Country Director, UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Mark Smithson; UK’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi MP; Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Creativity, (representing Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika) Prince Baba Agba; and the Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Digital and Creative Economy, Fegho Umunubo at the launch of the Creatives Working Group, yesterday in London.
The launch of this Working Group and a match-making event for UK-Nigeria creatives industries leaders today in London, represents a milestone in the UK-Nigeria relationship, designed to boost innovation, cross-border creative collaborations, and drive sustainable economic growth and development.
Both events provided a dynamic platform to explore new opportunities and form commercial alliances within key creative subsectors such as Film and TV, Music, Fashion & Design,mArchitecture, Advertising, and Gaming.
By prioritising collaboration and cultural exchange, the initiative is poised to foster long-term growth, enhance job creation, and unlock new pathways for creativity and innovation in both countries. A Terms of Reference and joint workplan for 2025 were also agreed upon to guide the Group’s focus and efforts.
Speaking on the significance of the launch, Florence Eshalomi MP, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria and Co-Chair of the UK-NG Creatives Technical Working Group, remarked:
“Today marks a significant moment as we launch the UK-Nigeria Creatives Working Group. Our nations share a rich cultural bond and a deep belief in the transformative power of creativity, through music, film, fashion, and arts.
“This initiative, rooted in our landmark Enhanced Trade & Investment Partnerships (ETIP), will drive stronger trade ties, foster deeper collaboration, and unlock the full potential of our creative industries.
“By enhancing market access and investing in skills, we are opening doors to new opportunities that will create jobs and boost economic growth in the UK and in Nigeria.”
Emphasising the need for deeper creative and cultural ties, Mr. Obi Asika, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture and Co-Chair of the UK-NG Creatives Technical Working Group in Nigeria, said:
“Nigeria’s creative economy is a global force, driven by our storytellers, musicians, designers, and digital innovators. From Nollywood to Afrobeats, fashion to gaming, our industries are reshaping global culture and commerce. However, to unlock the full potential of this sector, we need strategic investment and support not just in talent, but in the institutions and infrastructure that will sustain long-term growth.”
Representing Mr., Obi Asika from the Nigerian side, Prince Baba Agba, Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Creativity, underscored the importance of leveraging UK expertise for impactful collaborations:
“The UK’s creative industries stand as a global benchmark for institutional excellence, market distribution, and innovation. We are eager to tap into your expertise for meaningful partnerships. This Working Group isn’t just about discussions – it’s about taking concrete actions that will yield tangible outcomes for creators, businesses, and industry stakeholders on both sides.”
Also speaking on behalf of the music industry, Adedayo Ayoade, Product Lead at Gbedu Labs, said:
“The future of Nigeria’s music industry lies in live experiences, innovation, and global collaborations. The launch of the Creative Industries Technical Working Group, under the ETIP framework, represents a significant first step towards bridging cultures and amplifying the voices of the next generation.”
The launch of the Working Group and match-making event which took the form of a series of in person dialogues attended by officials from the UK and Nigerian
governments as well as creatives and served as an institutional framework for deliberations and actions.
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