THUR, NOV 16 2023-theGBJournal|Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday underscored the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and the urgent need to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to ensure food security for Nigeria’s growing population.
Accordingly, the Vice President urged the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to forge a strategic partnership with the Nigerian government to enhance agricultural productivity, improve nutrition and strengthen the education sector.
He also charged the Foundation to support President Bola Tinubu’s gender empowerment initiatives, noting that the programmes which are focused on the girl child are critical to Nigeria’s drive to alleviate poverty.
Vice President Shettima expressed his appreciation for the foundation’s significant contributions to Nigeria, particularly in the areas of polio eradication and primary healthcare delivery.
Highlighting the need for the foundation’s continued support in the Nigerian agricultural sector, the VP said, “We are investing heavily in agricultural innovation and best agricultural practices to enhance productivity. However, we need the expertise and resources of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate our progress.”
The Vice President had identified education and skills development as panacea for addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria during a meeting with a delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation led by the President of its Global Growth and Opportunity Division, Mr Rodger Voorhies, at the Presidential Villa.
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