The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed a relief fund worth $600,000 to the Nigerian Government.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Nkwocha said the donation was announced when Vice President Kashim Shettima met with the head of Global Development Programme of the foundation, Dr. Christopher Elias, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The relief fund is to “hasten relief efforts for victims of the devastating floods, as well as for health and agricultural sectors’ reforms”, he said.
He noted that, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged the $600,000 for flood relief in Borno state and other health sector initiatives, with an additional $5m grant approved for Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.
In response, Shettima, reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to placing health, nutrition, and agricultural development at the forefront of the nation’s national agenda.
“We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis,” he said.
The vice- president emphasised the Nigerian government’s dedication to integrity and effective leadership in tackling these issues, pointing out that there was an urgency in securing locations for maize production under the Telemaze programme
Speaking about import permits, he stated, “we recognize the critical importance of food security and industrial agricultural development.
“The Cassava Accelerator programme, in particular, holds immense potential for our economy.
“We are pursuing a whole-of-government approach to digitisation and data exchange systems, which we believe will revolutionise our public services,” the VP added while reiterating the government’s focus and commitment to digital transformation.
“With the expertise’ of Nigeria’s ministers, and the continued support of partners like the Gates Foundation, the nation remains confident in its ability to drive meaningful change and improve the lives of all Nigerians”.
Meanwhile, President of the Global Development Programme at the Gates Foundation, Dr. Christopher Elias, said the Foundation was deeply worried about the severe flooding in Borno, and is “committed to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis.”
The Foundation also pledged support for Nigeria’s health sector reforms, particularly in the fight against polio.
“We’re impressed by the national task force’s efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by year-end,” Dr. Elias noted.
Also, president of Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Bill & Melinda, Rodger Voorhies, detailed plans for scaling up drought-tolerant maize production and advancing the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme.
He disclosed that a $5m grant has been approved for Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.
“Industrial cassava presents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Nigeria,” Voorhies explained.
He requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to build a foundation seed system in the country.
Also, Director of the Nigeria Country Office at the Gates Foundation, Uche Amaonwu, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership, particularly highlighting a $60 million investment in sector-wide programmes and collaborations on reproductive health issues.
Others present at the meeting were Deputy Director, Programme Advocacy and Communications, at the Gates Foundation, Ekenem Isichei, and top Nigerian government officials.
