Mrs Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, and Access Bank Plc have backed Global Citizen’s efforts to eliminate poverty, COVID-19, and climate change, as the international advocacy group announces the local hosts for its concert in Lagos.
Global Citizen, a New York-based global non-profit organization, stated in a statement that the world’s wealthiest nations must keep their promise to donate $100 billion annually to address developing countries’ climate challenges.
What they are saying
Global Citizen said it is partnering with the Lagos State Government to organize a limited-capacity event to honour Nigerians who are fighting the COVID-19 outbreak on the front lines.
Ahmed, the finance minister said, “Women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the COVID-19 pandemic – on the frontlines, in various sectors, and in their homes. Every woman and girl should be guaranteed safety in their respective homes, schools, communities, and places of work.
“This is a shared responsibility and through Global Citizen Live, we are calling on key stakeholders across private and public sectors to join hands in accelerating our common goal of ensuring that women are safe and economically empowered.”
The Group Managing Director Access Bank Plc, Dr Herbert Wigwe, said, “Access Bank strongly aligns with Global Citizen’s goals and objectives, possessing a strong drive to ending COVID-19, addressing the global food crisis, achieving education for all, advancing equity, and protecting the environment.”
The statement further quoted the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as saying, “Lagos State is thrilled to be a part of Global Citizen Live. With the challenges of rising poverty, hunger and vaccine inequity facing Africa, we need businesses and governments around the world to respond to the call of citizens, stand in solidarity with the people of Africa, and commit to defending the planet and defeating poverty and inequality.”
The group also urged the G7 and the world’s billionaires to help end the hunger crisis by donating at least $6 billion to provide millions of meals to the 41 million people who are on the verge of starvation.
“Performances from Lagos will be given by Tiwa Savage, Davido, Femi Kuti and Made Kuti, among others. Burna Boy will perform from New York, Sho Madjozi and Muzi from Johannesburg, while Angelique Kidjo will perform in Paris on 25th September 2021,” the statement added.
