The Fate Foundation has donated 50 Hand-Washing devices to the Lagos State Government for public institutions in the State.
The Special Adviser, Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond, who received the devices on behalf of the State Government, said the donation was the outcome of public-private partnerships in the development of the State’s infrastructure and the actualisation of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
While appreciating the contribution of FATE Foundation towards the development of entrepreneurship skills in youths, she noted that the donation of the 50 handwashing devices through a homegrown initiative will further boost the State’s efforts at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hammond stressed the significance of imbibing the concept of personal hygiene such as hand washing with soap and water, especially in all public places, as being fundamental to curbing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.
She observed that the collective effort birthed another significant partnership between government institutions and the organised private sector towards shared responsibility and good governance, adding that it will also synergise relationships between development agencies and government including all the Local Governments Authorities that are willing to accept the innovation into their public space.
“The initiative lends credence to what we can achieve when we come together for posterity and when we embrace positive action towards achieving all the 17 sustainable development goals. As long as we continue to work together to focus on hygiene and all key elements of making sure the pandemic is handled well, Lagos, and indeed Nigeria, will emerge victorious from the terrible disease”, Hammond submitted
In his remark, Mr. Ahmed Ayinla, who invented the device, expressed delight to have contributed his quota to the development of the State and the fight against COVID-19, applauding the FATE Foundation Entrepreneurial programme for giving him a platform to thrive and be a change maker.
He said, “If not for FATE Foundation’s training and funding to produce the 50 devices, the dream and drive in me might have died”.
Ayinla stressed that he believes that the invention will go a long way in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria and Lagos State, stating that the devices will encourage handwashing among the citizens in public places which will eventually lead to the containment of the second wave of the pandemic in the State.
Speaking on behalf of FATE Foundation, Mrs. Nike Adeyemi, appreciated the Lagos State Government for their partnership and adoption of private initiatives in driving its development agenda. She highlighted some other initiatives of FATE Foundation to include, free COVID-19 testing of over 800 individuals at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, training and funding of young entrepreneurs, wealth creation through tailored projects among other wonderful initiatives.
Adeyemi explained that the handwashing devices were made of recycled and sustainable materials and have been projected for distribution in public places such as schools, markets and health centres.
The Chairman, Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Mr. Rasa Ajala, commended FATE Foundation for supporting young entrepreneurs to discover their talents, maintaining that creation of jobs through youths’ ingenuities will reduce the surge towards white-collar jobs.
While praising the Lagos State Government for its drive to promote public-private partnerships to deliver good governance, he encouraged non-governmental organisations to also come on board to support the administration’s development projects in all sectors of the State’s economy.
