By Chioma Obinna

Over 34 million US dollars was yesterday donated by group of business institutions in Nigeria, including the Africa Development Bank, to the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in three affected countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday advised the 250 Ebola Volunteers leaving today to the affected countries not to play hero but display professionalism in the field of duty.

The donation is coming on the heels of increased calls for financial assistance by the African Union, AU, to end the agonies arising from the disease in the West-African region.

The donations were announced in Lagos by Chairperson of the AU, Dr. Dlamini Zuma, during the launch of ‘Africa Against Ebola’ Fund.

African Development Bank and MTN donated $10 million each, while Airtel donated 250 phones to volunteers.

AU had said through its Director, Department of Social Affair, Amb Olawale Maiyegun, during an interview with newsmen that between two and five billion dollars would be needed to end the scourge that has ravaged Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone within few months this year.

Zuma said Nigerian effort was a further testimony to the country’s love for the continent. She called other states on the continent to emulate the gesture.

She also pledged the AU’s determination to rid the continent of the virus.

She said: “I realised as I was flying here that indeed this was a very special mission because the AU is known for deploying soldiers to wars and to countries. But this time the AU is not deploying soldiers to conflicts, but it is deploying health workers to go and work and help their brothers and sisters, especially in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.”