By Asmau Ahmad
Microsoft co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates will be in Nigeria this week to discuss global health and developmental issues with national and local leaders, foundation partners, grantees, scientists, and young innovators.
He is also expected to pay a scheduled visit to the Niger Republic, to meet with the country’s top leaders.
The visit is part of the Gates Foundation’s commitment to work closely with communities and leaders to support innovation that can help accelerate progress and improve lives across Africa.
In a statement made available to newsmen by the foundation media team, it was revealed that Gates and other foundation leaders will also be visiting to learn from partners helping to address polio, anaemia, and other health threats.
They are also expected to meet with “Scientists applying research to develop agricultural innovations that will help with food security and climate adaptation; innovators using technology to improve access to financial services and others, working to improve lives in Niger and Nigeria and throughout the continent.
“They will also meet with national and regional leaders to encourage them to make investments and advance policies that promote innovation and provide equitable opportunity, despite challenging economic conditions.”
In the statement, it was disclosed that Gates will also participate in a conversation with students and young leaders to gather insights and share perspectives on how science and innovation can accelerate positive change and contribute to a brighter outlook for Africa.
“The moderated event, Advancing Africa: Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science and Innovation, will be co-hosted by the Co-Creation Hub Nigeria and Lagos Business School and live streamed across Africa by media partners,” the statement read.
