By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Nigerian 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 and reforms in the health and agricultural sectors.
Specifically, the Foundation pledged $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.
The donation was announced when Vice President Kashim Shettima met with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, led by its head of the Global Development Programme, Dr Christopher Elias, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima reaffirmed the administration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to placing health, nutrition, and agricultural development at the forefront of the nation’s 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, 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, the 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.”
The Foundation also supported 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,” Elias noted.
For his part, Rodger Voorhies, President of the Bill & Melinda Global Growth & Opportunity Division, 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,” 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, Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Nigeria Country Office at the Gates Foundation, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership, particularly highlighting a $60m investment in sector-wide programmes and collaborations on reproductive health issues.
Others present at the meeting were Ekenem Isichei, the Deputy Director of programme Advocacy and Communications at the Gates Foundation, and top Nigerian government officials.
Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote, President/CE0 of the Dangote Group, also paid a courtesy call to Vice President Kashim Shettima. Dangote is also the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
