We don’t have to wait till people die before we appreciate their impact on their communities and the world in general. The advent of the COVID-19 virus brought out some otherwise unrecognised heroes, whose acts of heroism, were strong deciders in the global fight against the pandemic.
Neusroom 100 is a project created to celebrate 100 people, organisations, countries and even things, that are helping the world win the ongoing fight against the virus. The virus was unexpected and has been described as one of the greatest challenges the world has faced in the 21st Century. These honourees, though unprepared, have managed the situation and made themselves deciding factors in solving the world’s problem.
The coronavirus which was first discovered in Wuhan City, China on November 17, 2019, brought a state of panic on the world. In less than two months, the virus had spread around the globe and forced a global shutdown that affected the economic, political and even entertainment climate of the world, as sporting activities were not spared.
The 40 people, 30 organisations, 20 countries and 10 things who make up the Neusroom 100 list range from political leaders and medical researchers and workers to business moguls, artistes and local organisation who have, in one way or another, contributed to this global fight.
The list cannot claim to hold every single person whose efforts have contributed to the fight as there many known and unknown people across the world who should be on the list, but what it can say is it recognises a few who have shown what it is to be responsible, and are proof that there is hope in humanity.
Artiste Beyonce, through BeyGOOD her charitable initiative donated $6 million to Jack Dorsey,s Coronavirus relief fund, Start Small LLC. Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter is also an honouree on the list. The fund was set aside to provide aid to people suffering from mental health and the effects of the coronavirus.
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Group also makes the list as he has donated ₦1 billion to help amplify COVID-19 efforts in Nigeria. He also approved a ₦5 billion donation from the UBA Group to the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and African Countries where the bank is set up.
Countries like Japan, who have donated nearly $139 million to various organisations including $47 million to the WHO relief fund and has been active in providing medical supplies and collaborative research efforts to find a cure for COVID-19, are also mentioned on the list.
According to Femi Falodun, CEO of ID Africa, the Neusroom 100 project as “a celebration of hope, and an acknowledgement of humanity’s collective will to survive.”
He added: “Neusroom 100 highlights the sacrifices and contributions of women, men, organisations, nations and even things – products of humanity’s creativity that are helping the world win in this long fight against COVID-19.”
There are many people whose names may never make the media rounds but are still strongly fighting for humanity to beat this virus. Though we may never know them, we hope this list will serve as an encouragement to everyone participating in the world’s search for a cure. You can view the full Neusroom 100 list here.
