Amid the continuing impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, a coalition of young leaders from diverse regions of Nigeria, known as The New Leaders Group, has joined other influential organizations and executives in making donations to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Notably, donations have been pledged by industry leaders and social influencers.
The New Leaders Group has taken the initiative to raise monetary contributions from its members to contribute to the ongoing efforts in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. These members exemplify how collaborative efforts of like-minded leaders can make a difference in this generation through entrepreneurship, business, and public service. They firmly believe that their contributions should extend beyond mere words to tangible actions. While the government, in conjunction with the NCDC, is making extensive efforts to contain the pandemic, they recognize the need for collective support.
The donation of Five Million Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand Naira is a combined effort of approximately 101 group members, including individuals such as Folajimi Lai Mohammed, Alfred Babas, Uzoma Konyeaso, Zainab Galadima, Doyin Alatishe, Shola Ladoja, Marzi A V Orji, Tosin Oshinowo, Sijibomi Ogundele, Joshua J. Omojuwa, Andrew Zidon, Ibidapo Fashina, Hon. Dayo Israel, Sadiq Abacha, Murtala Tukur, Atanda L Fuad, Donald Benibo Wokoma, Onyemelukwe Tochukwu, Habeeb Okunola, Abiodun Osikoya Bizzle, Nkemkanma Kama, Chima Anyaso, Bobo Ajudua, Enniyanna Annumudu, OC and OZ Mbadiwe, Frank Emenike, and many others.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Sijibomi Ogundele, CEO of Sujimoto Construction, reiterated the group’s commitment to investing in society. “For us at ‘the New Leaders Group, we may not have the ability or resources to give as much as Dangote, Atiku, or Otedola, but we will still leap at any opportunity to help in the fight against any pandemic that is threatening the development of our great nation. Donating, for us, is more than a Corporate Social Responsibility; it is an obligation, and we all feel that sense of obligation to do so at this time. It is an obligation because we know that if your neighbor is hungry, your chicken is not safe.
With that being said, we are using this opportunity to call on every Nigerian from every corner of our nation, to lend a helping hand to their neighbour”.
“Social distancing doesn’t mean distancing ourselves from the challenges facing humanity, it means working together to end the spread of this virus while keeping ourselves safe. Today its 5.2 million Naira for Corona Virus, tomorrow, it could be a donation towards education or another effort we feel passionate about. Our vision is to empower each other so that we can have the opportunity to join the league of billionaire donors by converting the ‘M’ in front of our 5 into a B.”
“As private citizens, we have a social obligation to be compliant to government directives at all given times, and also, understand that compliance starts from us. Our decision to help humanity through isolation, identification and reporting cases of infected individuals will assist in flattening the curve until this epidemic is over. Kindly stay at home and be a whistleblower for the betterment of our great nation”, Mr. Ogundele noted.