The Federal Government has secured a $600,000 relief fund and commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The donation was revealed during a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Dr. Christopher Elias, head of the Global Development Programme at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Thursday. He said the relief fund is intended to: “hasten relief efforts for victims of the devastating floods, as well as for health and agricultural sectors’ reforms.”
The statement is titled ‘Nigeria secures $600,000 for flood relief, health, agric sectors’ reforms.’
The announcement follows the Federal Government's recent establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund, which aims to enhance the nation’s capacity to “build greater resilience” in preventing and responding to natural disasters, particularly floods.
Mr. Wale Edun, who is the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, announced the fund on Monday, stating that the Disaster Relief Fund, DRF, would address the unique challenges posed by climate change by gathering resources from a wide range of public and private sector contributors, as well as international donors.
Specifically, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed $600,000 for flood relief in Borno State and other health-related initiatives. Furthermore, a $5 million grant has been approved for Lagos Business School and its partners to advance the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.
Shettima reiterated President Bola Tinubu's administration's commitment to prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development as key elements of the nation's agenda.
“We are deeply committed to addressing the pressing developmental challenges facing our nation, particularly the significant malnutrition crisis,” Shettima stated.
He highlighted the Nigerian government's commitment to integrity and effective leadership in tackling these issues, pointing out the pressing need to secure sites for maize production within the Telemaze program.
Promising prompt action on import permits for certified seeds, the Vice President stated that..., “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,” the VP added while reiterating the government’s focus and commitment to digital transformation.
Shettima further conveyed his strong belief that “with the expertise” of Nigeria’s ministers and the ongoing support of partners like the Gates Foundation, the nation is confident in its “ability to drive meaningful change and enhance the lives of all Nigerians.”
Dr. Christopher Elias, President of the Global Development Programme at the Gates Foundation, expressed deep concern over the severe flooding in Borno, stating that the Foundation is “committed to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis.
Furthermore, the Foundation also promised to back Nigeria’s health sector reforms, with a particular focus on combating polio.
“We’re impressed by the national task force’s efforts to eliminate variant polioviruses by year-end,” Elias remarked.
Additionally, Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth & Opportunity Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, outlined plans to enhance drought-tolerant maize production and further develop the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator program.
He further revealed that a $5 million grant has been approved for Lagos Business School and its partners to advance the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.
“Industrial cassava presents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for Nigeria,” Voorhies explained.
Voorhies 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, conveyed appreciation for the ongoing partnership, particularly emphasizing a $60 million investment in broad sector initiatives and collaborative efforts focused on reproductive health issues.
