Towards creating more awareness about the spread and prevention of COVID-19 in Ogun and Lagos States, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, a leading pharmaceutical company in the country, has donated 20 kiosks and flyers to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS2HQ, Lagos.
Presenting the items at a media launch in Lagos, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Neimeth, Mr Mathew Azoji, described the partnership as historical, as the FRSC Zone 2 Lagos is the first federal government institution the company is partnering on COVID-19 advocacy.
He said the donated COVID-19 enlightenment kiosks and flyers were crucial campaign materials to improve the quality of life of citizens in this era of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The Neimeth boss while commending the FRSC for the partnership, also urged Nigerians to observe strictly the COVID-19 prevention guidelines as stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), especially the use of antiseptics and disinfectants.
He said considering the over-crowded nature of the society, enlightenment, personal hygiene, the use of face masks, antiseptics and regular hand washing would go a long way to prevent further spread of the virus.
Azoji, who was represented by the organisation’s Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, Mrs Roseline Oputa, described the partnership with FRSC as a worthy humanitarian cause, saying the firm is looking forward to many more partnerships that revolve around healthcare of Nigerians.
Commenting on the current global and national cases of the infection, which is growing at an alarming rate, Azoji said prevention remains the only viable option against the virus with regular antiseptic use, disease spread can be curtailed and prevented.
“Our use of NCP liquid and hand sanitizers for this partnership is very apt. NCP will help to promote NCDC’s recommendation of regular personal and environmental hygiene as an effective way to prevent contracting diseases and infections including Coronavirus.
“Based on this recommendation, NCP can be use to sanitise hands in the absence of soap and water, as well as for cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces in the home or office, he said.
In his response, Mr Samuel Obayemi, the zonal commanding officer, FRSC, RS2HQ, in charge of both Lagos and Ogun states, commended Neimeth for deeming it fit to partner Fenliin curbing the spread of COVID-19 through the provision of kiosks and flyers for advocacy and public enlightenment.
Obayemi, who was represented by the Lagos State Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the global health crisis requires partnership and participation of all, saying government alone can not tackle the pandemic.
According to him, the rising cases of the virus in the country necessitated the corps’ partnership with Neimeth to bring the global health challenge under control through public transportation, adding that when it comes to the issue of health crisis, institutions, non-governmental organisations and other critical stakeholders must come together and join hands with the government.
” FRSC does not joke with the pandemic as we see it as a battle to win. We are always available to project this enlightenment campaign targeted at curbing the spread of this deadly virus. We are excited to be with Neimeth to drive this project. The foot soldiers are here, our men will put their strength to drive this motive and Nigerian citizens will be better for it.”
He added: “When the pandemic broke out, FRSC was one of the first paramilitary organisations to combine the mandate of road safety with public enlightenment against its spread with the provision of flyers. Our collaboration with NGOs in Nigeria have been a very robust one and it is what is being exhibited today with the provision of several kiosks and flyers to combat spread of COVID-19.
Also speaking, Pharm. Chovwe Emaniru, head of marketing, Neimeth International Plc, noted that Neimeth as an establishment has been at the fore-front of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in line with the federal government’s directive, adding that there is need for sustained sensitization and public enlightenment through hygiene education.
Emaniru said the donated kiosks and flyers would provide another avenue to reach the motoring public at motor parks on the danger of the pandemic and the need to adhere strictly to the prevention protocols.
She added that the 20 units of NCP-FRSC co-branded kiosks would be placed at strategic locations like motor parks, highly populated grass root environments in Lagos and Ogun states for the COVID-19 public enlightenment.
Other dignitaries present at the launch were DCC Innocent Etuk; DCC D. Marcus; DCC Anthony Daodu; Mr Isaac Igbanoi, director of admin, Neimeth; Mrs Florence Onyenekwe, secretary, Neimeth; Ms. Ifeyinwa Maduka, head of business, Ethical; Pharm. Osaretin Asowata, among others.
