Dike Onwuamaeze
The Global Citizen Live (GCL) is collaborating with the Lagos State Government to hold an event that will celebrate Nigerians who are working on the frontline in the fight against the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic disease.
The GCL, which is an international advocacy organisation, would also demand that the world’s wealthiest nations deliver on their promise to give $100 billion annually to address the climate needs of developing countries
A statement issued yesterday in Lagos by the GCL stated that the event would be, “filmed in advance with a fully-vaccinated audience or attendees who have presented a negative PCR test.”
The GCL also announced that the Lagos event would be hosted by two notable television personalities in the persons of Mr. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Nancy Isime while Tiwa Savage, Davido, Femi and Made Kuti, among other artists from Lagos would perform during the event.
The statement revealed that Burna Boy would be performing from New York while Sho Madjozi and Muzi would participate from Johannesburg, South Africa just as Angelique Kidjo would perform in Paris on September 25, 2021.
The GCL is hyped by its promoters as one of “the once-in-a-generation day of unity across seven continents, to be broadcast over 24 hours around the world on Apple Music, Apple TV App, YouTube, Twitter and also aired on partner television and radio stations across different regions.”
The statement described the GCL as the world’s largest movement of action takers and impact makers who are dedicated to ending extreme poverty by 2030.
It revealed that the GCL has over 10 million monthly advocates whose voices have the power to drive lasting change around sustainability, equality, and humanity.
It added: “We post, tweet, message, vote, sign, and call to inspire those who can make things happen” and to elicit actions from “government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens” toward improving lives.
“By downloading our app, the Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards with tickets to concerts, events, and experiences all over the world.”
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state was thrilled to be a part of GCL.
Sanwo-Olu explained that 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.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, observed that women bore disproportionate burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it is on the frontlines, in various sectors of the economy or in their homes.
She said: “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 GCL. 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.”
Similarly, the Group Managing Director Access Bank Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, declared that the bank strongly aligns with Global Citizen’s goals and objectives of mustering a strong drive that would end COVID-19, address the global food crisis, achieve education for all while advancing equity and protecting the environment.
He said: “In recognition of our responsibilities as an institution, we have devoted resources to minimise our carbon footprint while also being at the forefront of stimulating environmentally responsible stewardship, development, and sustainability innovation.”
The GCL would also urge the citizens of the United States of America (USA) to contact their representatives in the congress to press for the passage of the largest climate protection bill in American history, which would set the USA on track to at least reduce its emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. The USA’s congress would vote on the bill on September 27.
The Access Bank in Nigeria is among the corporate organisations behind the GCL. Other global corporate partners of the GCL are Accenture, Cisco, Citi, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Google, Live Nation, P&G, Salesforce, etc.
These organisations would mobilise support from the private sector in driving new commitments toward the campaign’s policy objectives.
The GCL has also received support from leading media companies like AIM Group, BellaNaija, Forbes, Arise TV, the New York Times, Vanguard Media, Big Cabal Media, Cool FM, Nigeria Info, Wazobia FM, and Wazobia Max TV among others.
