President Bola Tinubu conferred the national honor of CFR on Bill Gates in Lagos, praising his philanthropic contributions to maternal health, agriculture, and disease research. Gates expressed gratitude and highlighted his Foundation’s achievements in improving Nigeria’s health sector, including a goal to eradicate malaria over the next twenty years. Prof. Muhammad Pate emphasized Gates’ profound impact on national development and public health in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu honored Bill Gates with Nigeria’s national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) during a ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday. He praised Gates for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in areas like maternal health, agriculture, and infectious disease research. Tinubu expressed gratitude for Gates’ commitment to uplifting the less fortunate and acknowledged his role in inspiring global leaders.
“I would like to share my happiness and respect and acknowledge one of the greatest human beings in the world. Thank you, Bill Gates, for your indivisible commitment to humanity,” Tinubu stated. He emphasized the significance of honoring Gates as the President of Nigeria, calling the philanthropist’s work remarkable.
Gates, for his part, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “I’m very happy to receive the honor for myself and the incredible team at the Foundation. Our goal has always been to improve Nigeria’s health sector,” he said. He acknowledged the ambitious health goals set for Nigeria, highlighting the progress made with polio eradication and advancements in vaccinations.
During his speech, Gates credited his partnership with local leaders like Aliko Dangote and emphasized the successes they have achieved together over the last 25 years. He noted that child mortality rates have dropped, largely due to vaccination programs. Gates also discussed the ongoing efforts to increase vaccine accessibility, specifically mentioning the importance of rolling out cervical cancer vaccines.
The philanthropist further discussed long-term health goals, including the ambitious initiative to eradicate malaria within the next two decades. “Some of our goals may seem ambitious; we hope to eradicate malaria in Nigeria in the next twenty years,” Gates explained, vowing to invest significantly in health improvements.
Before the ceremony, Prof. Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Development, commended Gates for his extensive contributions to the country’s development. He noted that the Gates Foundation has invested over $2 billion in various sectors affecting Nigerians, particularly in healthcare and agriculture.
Pate also highlighted how Gates’ involvement helped mobilize traditional leaders to improve immunization rates, which had previously faced resistance due to misconceptions about vaccines. He concluded that the partnership between the Gates Foundation and local authorities has played a crucial role in the eradication of polio in Nigeria.
In summary, President Bola Tinubu’s conferment of the CFR on Bill Gates underscores the pivotal role of philanthropy in national development. Gates’ commitment to health improvements in Nigeria, alongside local partnerships, has yielded significant progress, especially in vaccination and polio eradication. With ambitious goals set for the future, Gates assures his ongoing dedication to enhancing the well-being of Nigerians, reflecting a collaborative approach to tackling health challenges.
Original Source: nannews.ng
