Kashim Shettima, vice president of Nigeria has implored the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to assist Nigeria, and other African countries, in the effort to fight hunger and poverty. He requested the Foundation to forge a strategic partnership with the Nigerian government to enhance agricultural productivity, as well as improve nutrition and strengthen the education sector.
Shettima made the appeal while receiving a delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation led by Rodger Voorhies, the President of its Global Growth & Opportunity Division, at the presidential villa, Abuja.. The vice president enumerated the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and the urgent need to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, so as to ensure food security for Nigeria’s growing population.
A statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the VP on Media and Communications, quoted Shettima as saying that “We are investing heavily in agricultural innovation and best agricultural practices to enhance productivity. However, we need the expertise and resources of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate our progress.” While appreciating the foundation’s significant contributions to Nigeria, particularly in the areas of polio eradication and primary healthcare delivery, the Vice President urged the foundation to collaborate with the Nigerian government in expanding access to quality education and further providing opportunities for skills development, particularly in the agricultural sector.
He said,“If a nation is not independent in food production, it remains a dependent nation.So, I am soliciting your partnership and attention. Join us in our drive towards combating poverty and hunger in sub-Saharan Africa as you did in Southeast Asia.” Rodger Voorhies commended the Bola Tinubu administration’s agenda on food security and healthcare delivery while acknowledging the VP’s leadership and commitment to nutrition and agricultural transformation.