…Seeks Gates foundation support to enhance agric sector
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has identified education and skills development as panacea for tackling poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, he stated this Wednesday during a meeting with a delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation led by the President of its Global Growth & Opportunity Division, Mr Rodger Voorhies, at the Presidential Villa.
Shettima emphasised how climate change affects agricultural productivity and how urgently climate-smart agriculture practises must be implemented to guarantee food security for Nigeria’s expanding population.
The Vice President therefore pleaded with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish a strategic alliance with the Nigerian government in order to boost the country’s agricultural output, enhance nutrition, and fortify the educational system.
Additionally, he tasked the Foundation with assisting President Bola Tinubu’s activities pertaining to gender empowerment, emphasising the importance of the girl child-focused programming to Nigeria’s efforts to reduce poverty.
Shettima conveyed his gratitude for the foundation’s noteworthy contributions to Nigeria, especially in the fields of primary healthcare delivery and the eradication of polio.
Highlighting the need for the foundation’s continued support in the Nigerian agricultural sector, the VP said, “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.”
Shettima also emphasized the importance of education and skills development in addressing poverty and hunger, just as he urged the foundation to collaborate with the Nigerian government in expanding access to quality education and further provide opportunities for skills development, particularly in the agricultural sector.
“By the end of the century, we are projected to be the most populous nation on earth. This demographic bulge can be transformed into a dividend or a disaster. Investing in education and skills development is crucial for ensuring that our growing population becomes a source of strength and not a burden,” he stated.
Reiterating his call for a strong partnership between the Nigerian government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Shettima expressed confidence that such a partnership could yield transformative results in addressing Nigeria’s agricultural, nutritional, and educational challenges, paving the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future for the nation.
“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,“ he added.
Earlier, Voorhies, said he and his team were in the country to strengthen existing collaborations with Nigeria and also seek other areas of partnership with the new administration especially in priority sectors.
He commended the Tinubu administration’s agenda on food security and healthcare delivery while acknowledging the VP’s leadership and commitment to nutrition and agricultural transformation. He assured of the foundation’s commitment and readiness to support efforts aimed at achieving set goals and objectives.
Present at the meeting were Jeremie Zoungrana, outgoing Country Director of the foundation; Uche Amaonwu, Interim Country Director; Chief of Staff, Nutrition, Carol Welch; Senior Programme Officer, Agriculture, Audu Grema and Senior Programme Officer, Policy and Advocacy, Katja Schiller Nwator.
