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Udeze Ekene
Guest
The Nigerian government has secured a $600,000 relief fund and commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Foundation pledged $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.
In reaction, Senator Kashim Shettima reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola 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,” Shettima said.
He emphasized 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 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 digitization and data exchange systems, which we believe will revolutionize 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.”
On his part, 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 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, the 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.
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