The Managing Director of LADOL Free Zone (LADOL) Dr Amy Jadesimi called for a collaborative effort in the fight against the spread of Coronavirus across the countries of the world. Adding that working with other African countries can help in winning the battle against COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Jadesimi, a Supergroup founding member of the African Influencers for Development Initiative (AIDI), a coalition set up with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) disclosed recently.
African Influencers for Development Initiative is a coalition of current and future development champions in African business, academia and the arts, supported by the UNDP, focuses on co-discovering and co-implementing innovative solutions for some of Africa’s biggest challenges
She said, “Working with the African Union, AU and or otherwise collaborating with other African countries will help us get through this crisis. We should help our smaller neighbours, both because this is the right thing to do morally but also because from an epidemiological perspective, if we don’t eradicate this virus or the threat it poses, every country in Africa remain at risk.”
“The economic ramifications may be as devastating for us as the health crisis, which is why the Government’s quick action in setting up funds to protect SMEs and Nigerian jobs is very reassuring.”
LADOL’s MD further said that working with the AU will also enable the coming together of the best minds on the continent to work together to come up with the solutions Africa needs in the short, medium and long-term.
She said “We could also collectively bargain for the materials, equipment and machinery we need and disseminate the same across the continent. Negotiating as the AU or a regional collective would greatly strengthen our ability to purchase the right preventatives such as sanitizers, gloves, face masks and even test kits.”
Adding that Africa could as well manufacture the machinery and equipment needed for treatment.
“In fact, some materials and equipment can be manufactured locally today in African countries which will be easier for us to purchase and learn from, to increase our local manufacturing capabilities.”
“I often say to people that being a Nigerian is what maintains my faith in humanity and times like this really reinforce that belief – despite the fear, the challenges and the uncertainty we are coming together as a nation and supporting each other through this,” she said.
Jadesimi believes that Nigeria as the most populous nation in Africa has unique challenges, responsibilities and opportunities.
She commended the Federal and state governments for rising and acting far quicker than some western governments to the challenge of COVID-19.
Peace Obi
Be the first to know when we publish an update
