Nigerian politician pledges millions to fight virus

A former Lagos state governor has pledged to donate millions to be used to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the country.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he will give 200m naira ($522,000:£420,000) to be split between the Lagos state government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Mr Tinubu tweeted that the money would support the government's efforts:

2. The circumstances this year prevent us from gathering together to celebrate my birthday but I would still like to mark the occasion.

— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@AsiwajuTinubu) March 29, 2020

Mr Tinubu is the latest philanthropist to pledge a donation to help in the fight against the virus. Other prominent Nigerian leaders and businessmen have donated including Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said a special fund of $40m (£32m) had been set aside to help deal with the pandemic.