The Federal Government has secured a $600,000 relief fund and commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to hasten relief efforts for victims of the devastating floods, as well as health and agricultural sectors’ reforms. Specifically, the Foundation pledged the $600,000 for flood relief in Borno State and other health sector initiatives, with an additional $5 million grant approved for Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava. The donation was announced when Vice President Kashim Shettima held a meeting with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation led by its head of Global Development Programme, Dr Christopher Elias, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Senator Shettima, reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to placing health, nutrition, and agricultural development at the forefront of nation’s national agenda. The Vice President said, “We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis.” He emphasised the Nigerian government’s dedication to integrity and effective leadership in tackling these issues, pointing out that there is an urgency in securing locations for maize production under the Telemaze programme Promising swift action on import permits for certified seeds, Senator Shettima said, “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,” he added while reiterating the government’s focus and commitment to digital transformation.” The Vice President further expressed firm belief that “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.” Also speaking, President of the Global Development Programme at the Gates Foundation, Dr. Christopher Elias, said the Foundation is deeply worried about the severe flooding in Borno, and is “committed to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis.” Related News Ogun govt to contractors: Insure any building above 2 floors Alleged N168m debt: Court clears Okonjo of indebtedness to AMCON Passport: Interior Minister confident of improved ranking 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. On his part, 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 $5 million 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,” Voorhees 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. Meanwhile, President / CE0 of the Dangote Group, Alh. Aliko Dangote also paid a courtesy call on Vice President Kashim Shettima. Dangote is also the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
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The Federal Government has secured a $600,000 relief fund and commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to hasten relief efforts for victims of the devastating floods, as well as health and agricultural sectors’ reforms. Specifically, the Foundation pledged the $600,000 for flood relief in Borno State and other health sector initiatives, with an additional $5 million grant approved for Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava. The donation was announced when Vice President Kashim Shettima held a meeting with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation led by its head of Global Development Programme, Dr Christopher Elias, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. Senator Shettima, reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to placing health, nutrition, and agricultural development at the forefront of nation’s national agenda. The Vice President said, “We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis.” He emphasised the Nigerian government’s dedication to integrity and effective leadership in tackling these issues, pointing out that there is an urgency in securing locations for maize production under the Telemaze programme Promising swift action on import permits for certified seeds, Senator Shettima said, “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,” he added while reiterating the government’s focus and commitment to digital transformation.” The Vice President further expressed firm belief that “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.” Also speaking, President of the Global Development Programme at the Gates Foundation, Dr. Christopher Elias, said the Foundation is deeply worried about the severe flooding in Borno, and is “committed to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis.” Related News Ogun govt to contractors: Insure any building above 2 floors Alleged N168m debt: Court clears Okonjo of indebtedness to AMCON Passport: Interior Minister confident of improved ranking 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. On his part, 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 $5 million 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,” Voorhees 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. Meanwhile, President / CE0 of the Dangote Group, Alh. Aliko Dangote also paid a courtesy call on Vice President Kashim Shettima. Dangote is also the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

By September 27, 2024No Comments

The Nigerian government has secured $600,000 in flood relief funds for Borno State and commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support health and agricultural reforms. In addition to the relief funds, the Foundation approved a $5 million grant to Lagos Business School and partners to develop industrial cassava farming.

The announcement came during a meeting between Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima and Dr. Christopher Elias, head of the Gates Foundation’s Global Development Programme, held on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York.

Vice President Shettima reiterated the administration’s commitment to tackling malnutrition, improving food security, and advancing agricultural development. He highlighted the potential of the Cassava Accelerator Programme, noting its economic benefits for Nigeria.

“We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis,” Shettima said. He emphasized that swift action would be taken on securing import permits for certified maize seeds as part of the government’s Telemaze programme.

Dr. Elias expressed the Gates Foundation’s concern over the severe flooding in Borno and assured Nigeria of the Foundation’s ongoing support, particularly in health sector reforms and polio eradication efforts.

Rodger Voorhies, President of Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Gates Foundation, detailed plans to scale up drought-tolerant maize production and develop Nigeria’s industrial cassava sector, which he described as a “multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Nigeria.” He also requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seeds.

Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria Country Office, expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration, particularly the $60 million investment in sector-wide programmes, including reproductive health.

In a separate meeting, Aliko Dangote, co-chair of the Gates Foundation and CEO of Dangote Group, paid a courtesy visit to Vice President Shettima, further cementing the collaboration between the Nigerian government and global partners.

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