Desmond Elliot partners giving.ng to raise N1bn health workers fund

NollywNollywood actor Desmond Elliot

Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot has partnered with reputable crowdfunding platform, Giving.ng, to lend his voice in support of health workers across the country.

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond shared a video on his Instagram page stating that there is a need for those taking care of the sick to also be taken care of.

Giving.ng announced a crowdfunding campaign to support health workers who are on the front-line of the coronavirus pandemic a few weeks ago.

The fund was set up to help take care of their hazard allowances as most of them in Nigeria earn only N5,000 (approximately $14) monthly. The fund pays them a minimum of N100,000 monthly and is governed by a diverse and multi-sectoral board led by a leading public health practitioner, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka.

Giving.ng Project Manager Olapeju Ibekwe noted that as the cases of infected Nigerians continue rising and the public is advised to practice social distancing, health workers have no choice but to go daily to take care of the sick.

“Some of them have not hugged their wives and children in the past 3 months just to protect their family from being infected. They definitely need our support,” she said.

“We are proud to partner with notable Nigerians like Desmond Elliot at this critical time for the benefit of frontline workers fighting the COVID-19 scourge.  It is inspiring to know that there are people out there that still care. We are grateful for the partnership and look forward to more public figures standing up to be counted at this time.”

The platform called for more donations via www.giving.ng/covid19.