President Tinubu Honors Bill Gates With National Award in Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu awarded Bill Gates with the CFR honor in Lagos, recognizing his significant philanthropic contributions in health and development. Gates expressed gratitude and commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s health sector, while Prof. Muhammad Pate acknowledged the transformative impact of Gates’ efforts and investments in the country.
In Lagos on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu honored Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder and head of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) award. This recognition comes as a nod to Gates’ substantial global philanthropic efforts that focus on elevating the lives of the disadvantaged, especially in areas like maternal health, agriculture, and infectious disease research.
During the conferral, President Tinubu praised Gates for his unwavering commitment to support those in need. “Today, I would like to share my happiness and respect and acknowledge one of the greatest human beings in the world,” he expressed. He further added, “Thank you, Bill Gates, for your indivisible commitment to humanity. It is highly remarkable and an inspiration to leaders across the world.”
Gates responded to the honor stating he was grateful and proud to receive the CFR on behalf of his entire team at the Foundation. In his speech, he noted, “From the beginning, the Foundation’s goal was to support improving Nigeria’s health sector.” He highlighted the significant progress made in reducing child mortality rates and tackling polio, where the partnership with Nigeria has proven essential.
The philanthropist also spoke about the Foundation’s initiatives aimed at enhancing health coverage and vaccine accessibility. He revealed efforts to distribute HPV vaccines to help curb cervical cancer, emphasizing that Nigeria achieved significant milestones in vaccine delivery among young girls.
Gates reiterated his dedication to combating malnutrition and expanding vaccination programs to fight diseases like malaria. “Some of our goals may seem ambitious; for example, in the next twenty years, we hope to eradicate malaria,” he remarked. He expressed a remarkable commitment to investing his resources in advancing health in Nigeria.
Prof. Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Development, echoed similar sentiments, noting Gates’ extensive contributions to Nigeria’s development. He also highlighted the collaboration between Gates and Nigerian billionaire Alhaji Aliko Dangote in transforming lives in the country. “The Gates Foundation has invested over $2 billion in various sectors affecting our people directly, from healthcare to agriculture,” he stated.
Prof. Pate also pointed out how traditional leaders were mobilized to overcome challenges in immunization, which was critical in the effort to eradicate polio in Nigeria. His acknowledgment serves as a reminder of Gates’ long-standing dedication to the nation’s health challenges and overall advancement.
In summary, the national honor bestowed upon Bill Gates by President Bola Tinubu not only highlights Gates’ incredible contributions to global health and development but also underscores Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to improve the welfare of its residents. As discussions of ambitious health initiatives continue, both Gates and Nigerian leaders express a shared determination to combat pressing health issues, setting a forward-looking agenda for the nation.
Original Source: nannews.ng
