Polio fight: Bill Gates, Dangote hail Zulum, Buni

By Duku Joel, Damaturu

The Co-Chair, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates and Chairman, Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote have praised the effort put in by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and his Yobe State counterpart, Mai Mala Buni over the fight against polio in the country.

The two leaders who have signed an MoU with the two states and other northern states in Nigeria, to strengthen routine immunisation in the states took turns to praise the governors at separate mid-year performance review of 2020 which is an annual event of the programme that gives appraisal on the progress of the programme.

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The initial MoU was signed in 2015 between the states, Aliko Dangote Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen routine immunisation in both states. The project was in March 2018, this was extended for an additional five years (2018-2023) and this is the 3rd year into the extension.

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In separate video conference reviews with the chief executives, Gates and Dangote believed that the commitment of the governors had brought about an end to the fight against poliovirus in the country.

For Borno, Gates, Dangote and Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ohanire were particularly impressed with the aggressive approach of Governor Zulum for the development of the Primary Healthcare system despite the huge security challenges posed by the Boko Haram crisis.

Gates pointed out the quick response of Zulum to the COVID-19 pandemic which prevented a major outbreak at the IDP Camps in the state.