President Trump redeems his pledge to Nigeria

     

The US President, Donald Trump has redeemed the promise he made on April 28 that his administration will donate 200 ventilators to Nigeria to help them fight the incursion of COVID-19. On Tuesday the Nigerian Government the 200 ventilators promised by Trump.

Receiving the ventilators on behalf of the federal government from the USAID/US government , the Minister for Health Dr.Osagie Ehanire expressed gratitude to President Trump and the US government for the ventilators. 

Dr. Ehanire said: "This donation consists of 200 ventilators, which, as we all know by now, are a critical component of the response strategy to save the lives of persons who have been severely impacted by this viral infection.

"They will certainly be of great benefit to the people of Nigeria and I wish to convey the appreciation of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and of the government of Nigeria, to President Donald Trump and the United States Government for the generous consideration and friendly gesture.

 

"We particularly appreciate that this gift comes against the backdrop that the United States is also fighting its own fierce battle against the Covid-19 plague. We wish them the very best in this challenge.

"I wish to also commend the United States Agency for International Development, the USCDC and the US Ambassador to Nigeria, her Excellency Mary Beth Leonard, for their interest and engagement in Nigeria, even beyond the advent of Covid-19.

"The speed and ease with which Covid-19 has spread across the globe clearly shows that it is a threat to mankind. Without the full collaboration of all nations, the threat of Covid-19 to anyone part of the world is a threat to all. I salute and recognize the presence of members of the media here today, and also appreciate their role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. They are important partners in the messaging strategy, which helps to give the correct picture to citizens and combat fear and panic. We value this partnership and shall work to strengthen it."

In her reply, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard,  said: "The 200 ventilators being transferred today are compact and portable, and can be easily mobilized to reach those patients with the most severe symptoms of COVID-19. Their arrival fulfills the commitment discussed between Presidents Trump and Buhari earlier this year. Our support includes training on the use and maintenance of this equipment, ensuring that the ventilators can address other respiratory illnesses in the years beyond the virus.

    

"The United States has been pivotal in supporting Nigeria's membership in the 'Every Breath Counts' Coalition. Nigeria is now one of just two countries in Africa to have an 'oxygen roadmap' that seeks to fight against pneumonia, hypoxemia, and now Covid-19. As the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, I remain proud of the strong friendship between our two countries. Working together in partnership with this country's government and its citizens, the American people are committed to working with Nigeria to implement effective disease surveillance efforts and to improve its capacity to safely isolate and treat confirmed cases as we look ahead to a virus-free Nigeria."