Ifeanyi IbeAmerican billionaire, Bill Gates, is expected in Nigeria next week as part of efforts to work closely with communities and leaders to support innovation that can help accelerate progress and improve lives across Africa.
The visit comes a few days after President Bola Tinubu appointed Mrs Salma Anas as his adviser on Health. It is seen as a beautiful coincidence as the visit has to do with issues on health and development.
The visit was disclosed in a statement by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Saturday.
The statement said Gates and other leaders of the foundation are visiting to learn from partners helping to address polio, anaemia, and other health threats; scientists applying research to develop agricultural innovations that will help with food security and climate adaptation; innovators using technology to improve access to financial services and others working to improve lives in Niger and Nigeria and throughout the continent.
“They will also meet with national and regional leaders to encourage them to make investments and advance policies that promote innovation and provide equitable opportunity, despite challenging economic conditions,” the statement added.
Gates will also take part in a conversation with students and young leaders to gather “insights and share perspectives on how science and innovation can accelerate positive change and contribute to a brighter outlook for Africa.”
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“The moderated event, ‘Advancing Africa: Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science and Innovation’, will be co-hosted by the Co-Creation Hub Nigeria and Lagos Business School and live-streamed across Africa by media partners Africa.com and Channels Television. It will take place at 10a.m WAT (Lagos) on 21 June,” the statement also said.
Since its inception in 2000, the foundation has supported partnerships with African regional institutions, national governments, and local communities in 49 African countries to contribute funding and scientific expertise in support of their agendas for change.
The foundation works with the Nigerian government, private sector, non-profit organizations and civil society to improve health outcomes, boost agricultural productivity, expand access to digital financial services, and empower women and other marginalized populations with greater economic opportunities.
The statement further said, “The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation believes that solutions to Africa’s greatest challenges can come from within Africa. This is why the foundation supports African partners whose bold ideas and creative approaches have the potential to save lives, improve health and help families across the continent.”
In Nigeria, in particular, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said it works with the government, the private sector, non-profit organisations, and civil society.
The partnership is “To improve health outcomes, boost agricultural productivity, expand access to digital financial services, and empower women and other marginalised populations with greater economic opportunities.”
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