By Doyin Ojosipe
Kano state government has commended, Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote Foundations for supporting the state in the eradication of polio and poverty among its citizens.
In a press statement issued by the state governor’s director of press, Halilu Dantiye, during a visit, Teusday, by the President of Global Development Programme, Gates Foundation, Doctor Chris Elias, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said, the prevalence of the disease was as a result of poverty, bad hygiene and ignorance.
“As we all know Polio virus has relationship with poverty. Before now many of us never knew that Polio has relationship with personal hygiene and other areas of health, but know we know better”, he added.
Kwankwaso also said there have been discussions with the Bill gates foundation on possible intervention in tackling poverty and illiteracy in the state, through agriculture and improvement in education system.
“This state is the most populous state in Nigeria, and I believe with these two foundations, a lot can be achieved in the area of eradication of poverty,” he said.
Earlier, President, global development programme, gates foundations, Doctor Chris Elias, explained that the programme’s leadership team oversees the foundation’s work in developing countries like Nigeria; on agricultural development, family health, vaccine delivery, sanitation and special initiatives among others.
He also said that his visit to the state was to strengthen the partnership with state government on some projects in the state.
He added that within the last 18 months, there has been significant improvement on polio eradication in the state due to the support of government, health workers and people of the state, hoping the spirit would remain alive.
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