COVID-19: Leadway contributes to N5bn free insurance cover for health workers, commits N135m for PPE, foodstuff
Tunde Hassan-Odukale, MD, Leadway Assurance
As more insurance companies in Nigeria continue to make donations and financial contributions to the fight against the spread of the dreaded and ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, Leadway Assurance Company Limited had at the weekend announced a donation of N135 million.
The donation takes care of COVID-19 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) materials, test kits and foodstuff to support optimal testing and treatment of Covid-19 cases as well as access to nutrition in the country during the quarantine period.
A statement by the underwriting firm noted that it also partnered other insurance companies to provide life insurance cover to the tune of N5 billion for all frontline healthcare workers battling to save the lives of those infected by the virus.
The statement added that the company had, before this, made a sizeable donation as part of funds being raised by the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) – COVID-19 Support Fund., stating that the donations align with the company’s value of service and customer focus as well as aid the Government in combating the spread of the pandemic in the country.
Commenting on the company’s gesture, the Managing Director, Tunde Hassan-Odukale, said in the statement “We understand the magnitude of the risk taken by health workers who have elected to support the government to take care of Nigerians in the wake of a pandemic that is ravaging worldwide.
“We salute their tenacity, resilience and professionalism as they battle COVID-19, putting their lives on the line to ensure that Nigerians are adequately cared for during this period. We understand the weight of their duties and hope that this support reassures them and indeed all Nigerians, that we are in this together,” Hassan-Odukale said.
Prior to the donations, the statement added, Leadway Assurance had been in the forefront of sharing critical information on the pandemic, partnering with “Doctors on Air” on radio to bring the Honorable Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in a special edition to discuss the Corona Virus Pandemic.
“Leadway was also one of the first companies to initiate its #WorkFromHome policy before the State pronouncement, ensuring seamless remote service via its several alternative channels while disseminating COVID-19 prevention tips in major languages within its areas of operations in addition to English, French and Pidgin, highlighting the NCDC’s COVID-19 helplines on radio and all its social media channels.
“The company urges Nigerians to adhere strictly to the precautionary measures prescribed by the World Health Organization, the Federal Government, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Lagos State Government to successfully curb the spread of the outbreak in the country.
“The firm will continue to work with the government and health agencies to support ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic,” the statement added.
