The Nigerian government has secured a $600,000 relief fund and additional commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, announced during a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Foundation’s Global Development Programme head, Dr. Christopher Elias, on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to a statement released by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, the relief fund is aimed at accelerating efforts to support victims of the devastating floods and driving reforms in the health and agricultural sectors.
This development follows the Federal Government’s recent establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund, designed to build resilience against natural disasters, particularly floods. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, emphasized that the fund would address threats posed by climate change and involve contributions from public and private sectors, as well as international donors.
The Gates Foundation’s $600,000 pledge is specifically directed toward flood relief in Borno State and health sector initiatives. In addition, a $5 million grant has been approved to develop Nigeria’s agricultural economics, particularly in industrial cassava, in partnership with the Lagos Business School.
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Vice President Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development. “We are committed to addressing developmental challenges, especially the malnutrition crisis,” Shettima said. He also underscored the urgency of securing maize production sites under the Telemaze programme, with swift action promised on import permits for certified seeds.
“The cassava accelerator programme holds immense potential for our economy,” Shettima added, highlighting the government’s focus on digitization and public service reform.
Dr. Christopher Elias, President of the Gates Foundation’s Global Development Programme, expressed the Foundation’s deep concern over the severe flooding in Borno and reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis. He also pledged continued support for Nigeria’s health sector reforms, particularly the fight against polio.
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Rodger Voorhies, President of the Foundation’s Global Growth & Opportunity Division, announced plans to scale up drought-tolerant maize production and expand the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme, calling it a “multi-billion-dollar opportunity” for Nigeria. He also requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to build a foundation seed system in the country.
Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Nigeria Country Office at the Gates Foundation, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership, noting the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful change for Nigeria.