UNGA79: Nigeria secures $600,000 relief fund from Gates Foundation

Nigeria has secured a $600,000 relief fund and commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to hasten relief efforts for victims of the recent devastating floods.

A statement issued on Thursday, by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, said the $600,000 is specifically pledged 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.

Shettima reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to placing health, nutrition, and agricultural development at the forefront of the 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, Shettima said: “We recognise 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 reiterated 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.”

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 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.