Softcom, a company dedicated to connecting people and business through meaningful innovation, has launched HelpNow, a social intervention platform deployed to support at least two million Lagosians through a crowdfunding model that rallies the support of well-meaning individuals and corporates.
Softcom is doing this in collaboration with private sector organizations like Deloitte, MTN, Ernst &Young, Future Africa, Providus Bank, Sapphire Virtual Network, John Ashley Foundation, GTBank, Wildreams, and Banwo & Ighodalo and the Lagos State government.
HelpNow would disburse ₦5,000 to each of the beneficiaries’ bank account or phone number (mobile wallet). This effort is geared towards mitigating the debilitating effects of COVID-19 on the income and livelihoods of millions of households in Nigeria.
While presenting the features of HelpNow, Softcom’s CEO, Mr. Yomi Adedeji, stated that the initiative was created to seek and provide help for a good number of vulnerable people amongst us, who are having challenges in providing for themselves and their families as result of the impacts of COVID-19.
In his words “we were inspired by the belief that while the Coronavirus pandemic affects everyone, the impact is not the same across board. As a result of the effects of this deadly virus and its restriction on economic activities, the vulnerable in our society will have challenges in catering for themselves and their families. And the ones that can survive this phase will need our help now to get back on their feet”.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the launch said: “With the launch of HelpNow today, we now have a platform that aggregates support for government’s efforts at alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in our society. Government alone cannot address the socio-economic problems of any society. It needs the support of well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations to cater for the needy amongst us”,
“For creating a platform that encourages collaboration and speedily mobilises succour for the needy and vulnerable, I commend Softcom Limited and its partners. The people of Lagos State appreciate your ingenuity and thoughtfulness”, the Governor added.
The beneficiaries of HelpNow would be in five categories: the elderly (273,708), petty traders or market women (337,484), physically challenged (5,289), poorest households (13,036), and poorest Lagosians (1,691,991).
HelpNow is a private sector-led collaboration focused on contributing towards achieving the SDG Agenda 2030 on ending poverty, ensuring zero hunger, and ultimately improving the quality of life and wellbeing of every Nigerian. The platform, www.helpnow.ng, is set-up to pair donors with beneficiaries who require support at any point in time.
