Dangote Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have resolved to
\nput an end to the disease called polio in Nigeria by 2014.<\/p>\n
Gates, addressing a press briefing in Lagos, on Monday, said the uprising
\nin the north-east region of the country is undermining the fight to
\neradicate polio in the country, especially in Borno and Yobe states.<\/p>\n
He noted that a lot of problems still remained as some states do not pick
\nup the best vaccines while others do not release money as and when due for
\nthe implementation of the campaign.<\/p>\n
However, he said his Foundation is planning to improve the living standard
\nof Nigerians and develop the economy.<\/p>\n
Chairman, Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Co-Chair, Bill &
\nMelinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates, said this in Lagos yesterday in
\nProtea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos at a press briefing held to explain the plan of
\nthe foundations to improve the living standard of Nigerians and develop
\nthe economy.<\/p>\n
Alhaji Dangote said the rate of polio in Nigeria, which had reduced to
\nabout 51 per cent presently, will be totally reduced to zero level by the
\nend of next year as a result of ongoing efforts by the two foundations. He
\nsaid they have intensified campaign to make sure that all children in the
\nstates where polio is prevalent are vaccinated. He confirmed that they
\nhave been receiving support from northern leaders and that many families
\nhave agreed to get the vaccine.<\/p>\n
Mr Gates said they are collaborating to wipe out polio in Nigeria because
\nthey believe it will help to improve the lives of people and move the
\neconomy forward. On further moves to develop the economy, Alhaji Dangote
\nsaid they are planning to raise funds with some private sector operators
\nto develop the health and financial sectors. Mr Gates said they are
\ncurrently working with the government to produce a regulation that will
\nenable the poor and the unbanked to have access to financial services as
\nthis will go a long way to reduce poverty and develop the economy.<\/p>\n
Apart from the health and financial sector, Mr Gates said they are also
\nworking to improve the agricultural sector. \u201cWe are working to double yam
\nproductivity so that small older farmers can achieve food security and
\nraise their incomes,\u201d he said, adding that they also research and deploy
\nnew cassava varieties with improved nutritional value.<\/p>\n
The two foundations also disclosed that they are facilitating a $50
\nmillion loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to Nigeria
\nfor polio eradication and other child-killer diseases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dangote Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have resolved to put an end to the disease called polio in Nigeria by 2014. Gates, addressing a press briefing in Lagos,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19366,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n