Thread by @Chxta

Two things happened today that made me pause and rethink Corporate #Nigeria a bit.

First, my account officer sent me a text wishing me well. I replied and realised that @MTNNG had given me 300 free SMS each month for this #covid19 #coronavirus period.

It made me go and check the list that one of my people @sbmintelligence is building about the help that the private sector is giving #Nigeria this bad seasons, and I must say that what I have seen is heartwarming. I will list some, and feel free to add to it when I'm done...

First off, @TheOfficialSIP have set up emergency numbers for people in the Igbo speaking parts of #Nigeria to reach in case of an emergency. They work, and ndi Igbo need them badly since our state governments tend to be so useless.

https://twitter.com/theofficialsip/status/1243526678795694080

Then @dstvng whom I love to hate just sent an email indicating that they are donating ₦1.2 billion to help in the #covid19 #coronavirus fight.

That is a more useful way to help than listening to @fkeyamo and giving people free satellite TV. 🙄🙄🙄🙄

https://twitter.com/channelstv/status/1244792997755191297

@GTBank, who said account officer works with have erected and handed over a 100-bed Isolation Centre in #Lagos to @LSMOH.

@AlikoDangoteFdn donated ambulances and trucks to aid @NCDCgov’s logistics and operations as well as create a 600-bed isolation centre in #Kano.

I'm also aware that @AlikoDangoteFdn is building isolation centres elsewhere, but I'm yet to ascertain their location.

@UBAGroup has promised ₦5 billion ($12.86 million) for pan-African intervention in addition to a free telemedicine call centre facility.

This is really needed because #Africa is about three weeks behind #Europe, and has a far creakier health sector. We need all the help we can get.

@UBAGroup gave 20% of the dosh to @followlasg, who, for all of my criticism, has stood tall this period.

In addition to the free SMS, @MTNNG has donated 1,200 SIMs preloaded with ₦100,000 airtime and 3GB free data per month for 6 months.

This should help health workers stay on top of the situation. I read somewhere that the intervention is valued at about ₦700 million.

@MTNNG also waived charges on their #MoMo Agent transactions and gave customers free access to educational materials.

You can access @NCDCgov @WHO and @FMOH websites for free. That should combat the #FakeNews from WhatsApp broadcasts on #covid19 #coronavirus

@FordFoundation donated some vehicles to @followLASG to help with the running around that is required for this epidemic.

https://twitter.com/chukwumacleen/status/1245293366272610304

@NNPCgroup is another one who get on my tits, but they've stepped up.

They formed an Upstream Oil & Gas intervention Initiative on #covid19 #coronavirus and have embarked on an industry-wide collaboration, to combat the pandemic and its attendant impact.

@anakle has been instrumental in bringing tech bros together, and @hotelsng helped bring some hotels to the table in donating bed space for isolation purposes.

@BUAgroup donated ₦1 billion to the #covid19 relief fund account with @cenbank.

There have been other donations, which are helpful.

I also know that CSOs such as @Globalrightsng, @SDNNigerDelta, @sesorafrica, @OSIWA1, have done outreaches to help raise awareness and do some low-level aid distribution.

There have been other donations from prominent individuals and celebrities contributing their personal funds to support people and families that have been affected during this uncertain period.

Maybe it's too early to pat ourselves on the back given that the worst is yet to come, but a little acknowledgement can help in encouraging those who have given, and indeed others, to do more.

We also need to hold @NigeriaGov to account for the donations as transparency and accountability must be their watchword.

#StaySafe guys

Edit: It was the state governments in the South East that made these numbers available.

For the bad news, I'm sorry. I'm so used to bashing them that I didn't even think they are capable of thinking... 🤦🏾‍♂️

https://twitter.com/Chxta/status/1245370483400376323

Please check out this VERY important contribution in Jos.

https://twitter.com/Gatiri/status/1245334662848937984

I've received more information about this particular gesture, and I'm happy to clarify that the phone numbers here were set up by the state governments in the South East, and @theofficialsip simply helped amplify. I'm sorry if I misled anyone.

I commend our guvs for stepping up.