Aisha Buhari affirms commitment to mobilise support for women, children

…eulogises Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Wife of Nigerian President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has reaffirmed her commitment to advocate and mobilise resources to improve the lives of women and children in Nigeria.

Mrs. Buhari said this while receiving Mrs. Melinda French Gates, the Co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, at the State House in Abuja, recently.

She eulogised the foundation and its sponsors, Bill and Melinda Gates on their roles at improving the wellbeing and livelihood of the poorest people in the world.

The wife of the president also used the avenue to solicit stronger support from the Foundation as well as more productive and enduring partnerships with relevant bodies in Nigeria to implement reproductive, maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH).

The visitor, Mrs. Melinda Gates expressed satisfaction with Mrs Buhari’s Future Assured programme, as she commends the scheme on touching the lives of the poor and vulnerable in the society.

According to her, “efforts like these count in the individual lives of the beneficiaries of the programme.”

Mrs Melinda Gates also called for more role models in the society to emulate the efforts of the Wife of the President, for according to her, “it is girls that grow up to become mothers and these girls need role models to emulate”.

Mrs Gates also commended the wives of state governors, who she said are doing everything possible to reduce negative health outcomes in their various states. She urged them to use their voices as the President’s wife is using hers to make a difference.

Earlier, the Hon. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole had commended the progress of the Future Assured Programme and the leadership of Her Excellency especially in the area of malnutrition through her direct support and advocacy.

He therefore, called on Mrs. Gates to leverage on the platform provided by the wives of the governors in order to achieve faster turn-around towards achieving the targets of the foundation.

In his goodwill message at the event, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuosho, promised that the Senate will continue to provide necessary legislation for effective health service delivery in the country.

The meeting was attended by wives of the state governors and other relevant stakeholders.