What US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo Said About Airtel Fighting COVID-19

The United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has commended Airtel Nigeria‘s efforts in the fight against the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

Pompeo who stated that Airtel Nigeria has been an integral part of the United State government’s partnership with companies in the private sector across various countries in creating the awareness of coronavirus.

Brandnewsday reports that the United Secretary of State while addressing a recent press briefing in Washington DC, he disclosed that while the US Department of State is working to bring back Americans in various countries many partnerships have aided bolster the battle against the deadly coronavirus.

According to Pompeo, the American government has partnered with Airtel in Nigeria to reach millions of people by sensitizing them daily on the significance of safe hygiene practices as well as social distancing.

“In Nigeria, we’ve partnered with a company called Airtel to reach more than one million citizens per day with voice and text messages on social distancing, safe hygiene practices, and other measures,” US Secretary of State said.

Read: MTN Nigeria unveils Y’ello Hope Package to address the impact of COVID-19

He further stated that “We’re always looking for opportunities to partner with the private sector – one of the most powerful force multipliers of our nation. We want to help these
countries help themselves.”

In addition, Pompeo also commended USAID’s shots in fighting the deadly pandemic. The virus has now been reported across over 210 countries in the world. The Secretary of State also disclosed efforts of an Egyptian nurse who recently graduated from school on a USAID scholarship and is now fighting the COVID-19 by treating patients in the country.

Airtel Nigeria’s Effort In Fight Against COVID-19

In its support to the fight against the spread of COVID-19, Airtel Nigeria recently announced a commitment of over N1.9B towards stopping the deadly virus in Nigeria. This includes free text messages for customers to friends and families across all networks worth over N1 billion; free access to health and educational websites valued at
over N500million and 100,000 Respirator Masks worth N120m.

Airtel also set aside N200m towards the provision of an Isolation Center or any required medical facility agreed with the appropriate health authority in the country. The Company has earlier commenced a multi-million-naira educational awareness campaign to sensitize Nigerians on steps to take to safeguard themselves and others against the spread of the COVID-19.

Airtel had committed about N100m to support the NCDC, Port Health Services and the 36 States, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the provision of toll-free lines to help in the fight against COVID-19 and to connect the NCDC’s offices nationwide with Broadband services.

It noteworthy that the company’s employees under their Airtel Employee Volunteer Scheme contributed N20m to be donated to Lagos State Government for the provision of food items to needy families during this crisis. They are the first recorded group of employees in a single corporate organization to make such an outstanding financial commitment to support the fight against COVID-19 in the country.