Aisha Buhari hosts Melinda Gates

The Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari says she will continue to work with the wives of the 36 State Governors in Nigeria, to enhance the course of women and children.

Mrs Buhari also promised to collaborate with the Governors’ wives, to enable her achieve the aims of her pet project, the ‘Future Assured’ programme.’

She says “her passion for women and children keep motivating her toward supporting them.”

Mrs Buhari made the remarks in Abuja, when she hosted Mrs Melinda Gates of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on a courtesy visit.

She appreciated the support the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has offered to Nigeria in various ways.

According to her, “the visit by Mrs Gates is a follow up to an earlier meeting in September, during the UN General Assembly.”

Mrs Buhari praised the efforts put in place by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to improve human lives globally.

“I’m aware of the efforts you are making in Nigeria through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, producing clear results in the areas of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. I am confident that your commitment and continuous support to our country will bring the change desired to improve the status of women and children in Nigeria and Africa in general,” she said.

Mrs Melinda Gates commended the Wife of the Nigerian President for enhancing the lives of women and children.

She called on wives of the Governors to continue to provide the needed platform for boosting the programmes put in place for women and children, especially at the grassroots.

Mrs Gates also pledged more support by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which she co-chairs, to make lives better in Nigeria.

“Bill and I think a lot about the ground work that we are trying to lay today as a foundation but it’s really what we are leaving behind for the next generation that matters. We are now laying the groundwork to lift up the next generation. So anything that we can do; investments of time, voice, money, getting the right people in the right jobs, we will build that system that will lift up the next generation in Nigeria,” Mrs Gates promised.

Earlier, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewale said the Nigerian government has put in place a credible health system to address the needs of the citizens.

He further said government was making concerted efforts to provide affordable healthcare in all parts of the country.

“When the current government came on board, the concern was to put in place a credible health system that will address the needs of the people. This government is principally concerned with the quality and affordability, ensuring that we are able to reach people within their localities,” he said.

The Minister talked about the ‘Future Assured’ programme, which he
said could help government to achieve its health revitalisation
programme.

Professor Adewale therefore called the wives of the Governors to contribute their quota.

“The revitalisation we are talking about is beyond just renovating the health facilities. We are trying to promote a culture of ownership at the community level and this can only be done by the wives of the Governors. We need them to adopt the Primary Healthcare Centres, monitor them and ensure that they function,” the Minster stated.

He pledged to collaborate and support the programmes of the President’s wife that have direct bearing on the health status of women and children.