Betta Edu to BMGF: Support FG to Remove 16m Nigerians from Poverty

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has solicited the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to address the humanitarian crisis and poverty of over 16 million Nigerians.

The minister made the call when she received a delegation from the foundation in her office in Abuja.

According to the minister, with approximately 16 million people facing humanitarian crises caused by natural and man-made disasters, insecurity and flooding, the need to solicit assistance has become imperative.

This is in addition to refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs.

The minister therefore called for partnership with development partners, donor bodies and the private sector to get people out of humanitarian crises and poverty in line with the federal government agenda.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to alleviating poverty in Nigeria in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 1,2 and 3 of the 2030 target. Our ministry is working assiduously to implement the presidential directive and we cannot do it alone without partners like you.

“Please link up this ministry to other strategic partners that  could support the country’s fight against poverty in Nigeria,” she added. 

The Country Director, Bill and Millanda Gates Foundation, Jeremie Zoungrana, in his speech, pledged the foundation’s willingness to help alleviate the sufferings of the people.

“The foundation will partner with the ministry and will use its wide contact to link up the ministry with strategic partners in specific areas to eradicate poverty in Nigeria,” he said.