Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have sealed a $2 million deal with main objective strengthening policies of the state governments in the areas of revenue generation and primary health care.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja while unveiling the terms of the new partnership deal, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who represented the Chairman of Governors Forum at the press briefing, assured of the commitment of the governors irrespective of political affiliations to the renewed efforts to improve the economy and healthcare needs of the people.

“On our part as governors, we are committed to success in any ammeter related to the NGF and this one will not be an exception,” he said.

The representative of the Bill Gates and Belinda Foundation, Mark Suzman, said the organisation recognises how critical state leadership is to the development in Nigeria.

He also noted that available statistics showed that two-thirds of social spending in Nigeria occurs at the state level.

“We are pleased to be supporting the critical work of the NGF as it facilitates better information exchange, collaboration in policy and the work of governors in determining how best to ensure federal and state policies work for Nigeria’s poorest.

“We intend to mobilise real, genuine political commitment and follow-up in the pursuit of best practices in the area of proper revenue management and health care delivery.

Suzman, who said the Gates Foundation and the NGF had previously partnered together on polio eradication Nigeria with success, however expressed disappointment that the scourge has found its way back to the country.

He lamented the outbreak of polio in the North-east which he attributed to the war against insurgency.

Suzman said the Foundation, along with other partners, was in the process of embarking on massive humanitarian efforts in the North-east to help vaccinate children against polio and other related diseases. (Blueprint)

•Photo shows Governor Tambuwal.

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