Project SafeUp to Provide Free PPE to Nigerians
Lagos, Nigeria – November 20, 2020 – In an effort to promote health safety for Nigerians amidst the ongoing pandemic, My World of Bags (MWOB), a bag design and manufacturing company, is partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on an initiative called Project SafeUp.
Project SafeUp will produce and distribute free personal protective equipment (PPE) to health workers and the general public across South West Nigeria, including Oyo, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti as well as to other areas in need across the country.The PPE that will be produced includes reusable non-surgical masks, face shields, gowns and scrubs, and shoe and head covers.
Following the outbreak of COVID-19, MWOB retooled its factory to focus on the production of PPE and established key partnerships with small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with the intention of producing 2.5 million items to be distributed within the next four to six months.
Femi Olayebi, Founder and CEO, MWOB, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. She stated, “As a company, My World of Bags is proud to be a part of the solution and honoured to be able to contribute to the efforts of the authorities and health bodies to protect our health workers and our citizens from the devastating impact of COVID-19. We believe that a country is only as strong as the health and wellness of its citizens. We are grateful to the Mastercard Foundation for their support and look forward to continuing to work with them to improve the welfare of our citizens.
Project SafeUp is committed to enhancing the use of Personal Protective Equipment by Nigerians and to reducing the spread of COVID-19 by sensitizing the public on the critical need to incorporate preventative measures in their day-to-day activities.
“The pandemic has had adverse effects on individuals and organizations across the country, but for many entrepreneurs and small business owners who make up most of the Nigerian population, and who rely on day-to-day incomes to survive, it has been particularly detrimental. At the Mastercard Foundation, we believe that this initiative will help to reduce these adverse effects by enabling people to safely return to their regular routines (education and work) with the use of PPE; improving the economic outcomes of low-income subgroups and women in particular; and contributing to slowing down the spread of the virus,” said Chidinma Lawanson, Country Head, Mastercard Foundation.
According to the World Health Organization, there have been over 51 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including over 1.2 million deaths across the world. At the end of October 2020, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported that there were 62,853 confirmed cases,
58,675 discharged persons and, 1,114 deaths recorded since the first case was recorded in February 2020.
Institutions and organizations interested in receiving PPE can send in requests through the company’s official website at https://www.myworldofbags.com/
About My World of Bags
My World of Bags (MWOB) is a bag design and corporate accessories manufacturing company, and the parent company of Femi Handbags — a bespoke line of leather handbags and accessories. Founded in 1992 by Femi Olayebi, the company designs and produces a dynamic array of products for businesses and individuals alike.
About Project SafeUp
My World of Bags, in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, has launched Project SafeUp an initiative centred on the production and distribution of over 2.5 million items of PPE — masks, face shields, gowns and scrubs, and shoe covers and head covers — free-of-charge. The initiative aims to distribute these items to health workers and the general public across a number of South- West states and beyond over the next four months.
About Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program
The Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program has two main goals. First, to deliver emergency support for health workers, first responders, and students. Second, to strengthen the diverse institutions that are the first line of defense against the social and economic aftermath of this disease. These include universities, financial service providers, businesses, technology start-ups, incubators, government agencies, youth organizations, and non- governmental organizations.
For more on the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program, please visit http://mastercardfdn.org/covid19-recovery-resilience-program/. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at @MastercardFdn
For enquiries: Adetoun Ademuyiwa (Operations Manager, My World of Bags)
0708 928 7992 adetoun@myworldofbags.com www.myworldofbags.com
Yoyin Akindele (Marketing Support, Project SafeUp)
0704 330 5367 safeup.marketing@gmail.com
Nonye Mpho Omotola
Mastercard Foundation
Country Lead, Program Communications, Nigeria Nomotola@mastercardfdn.org
