?Health, nutrition top priorities of our development agenda, VP Shettima tells Gates Foundation

To hasten relief efforts for victims of the devastating floods, as well as for health and agricultural sectors? reforms, the Nigerian government has secured a $600,000 relief fund and commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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.

Nigeria?s Vice President, Senator Kashim 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.

?We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis,? Vice President Shettima stated.

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, the VP 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.

Vice President Shettima 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.?

For his part, 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 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 $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.

?PHOTO: Vice President Kashim Shettima (middle); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf M. Tuggar (3rd from left); Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate (2nd from left); Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ?Bosun Tijani (far left); President of the Global Development Programme at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Christopher Elias (5th from right); President, Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rodger Voorhies (4th from right); Director of Nigeria Country Office at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Uche Amaonwu (3rd from right); Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Rochas-Anwukah (2nd from right); Deputy Director, Programme Advocacy and Communications at the Gates Foundation, Ekenem Isichei (far right) during a high-level meeting with Executives of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.

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