ENDSARS protest: Donating companies may deal directly with victims

The incidents of hoarding, stockpiling and non-distribution of donated palliatives for Covid-19 in some states may pull-back some companies from partnering with state governments in assisting the victims of ENDSARS protest.

For instance, a source in a multinational company told Businessday over the weekend that the company is considering dealing directly with the victims of the protest.

He did not directly link the decision of the company to the non-distribution of Covid-19 palliative items as observed in some states, goods which were looted by some Nigerians from warehouses, but said the company’s motive is to create direct impact on the victims of the protest.

Read Also: #EndSARS: Investors re-price insurance stocks as claims spike after protest

During the two weeks protest, it was alleged that Nigerian soldiers shot bullets into a crowd of unarmed protesters at Lekki Tollgate, killing certain people, an incident which has attracted international community condemnation. More so, shops and homes of certain individuals were raided with many items carted away.

To assist the victims of the ENDSARS protest, Coca-cola Nigeria, according to a report said it is making a donation of N20 million to cover the medical costs of victims.

It was reported that CocaCola Nigeria donation would be supplied in partnership with Whitefield Foundation, its NGO partner “providing support for the injured and those in critical condition.

”The events of the past few days have scarred us all. Our heart goes out to the families of the fallen and injured, as a result of the recent violence that ensued during the peaceful #ENDSARS protests”, the company said.

The warehousing and subsequent looting of Covid-19 palliatives has further raised questions on the management of funds and items donated by individuals and corporate organisations towards alleviating people’s suffering and slowing the spread of the virus.

“There is need for an explanation on how funds were curated, disbursed and the execution managed. The recent discoveries of the stockpiles of palliative items make this a compelling integrity issue”, a source said.

In his speech to the nation, President Buhari said that he is “deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these acts to legitimate expression of grievances of the youth of our country”.