ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – Wife of Nigeria President, Aisha Buhari, on Thursday, affirmed her commitment to continue to advocate and mobilise resources to improve the lives of women and children in Nigeria.
Mrs. Buhari, who spoke while receiving the Co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda French Gates, who paid her a visit at the State House, also commended the activities of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for their global interventions to improve the wellbeing and livelihood of the poorest people in the world.
Buhari spoke on the need to have 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).
On her part, Mrs. Gates expressed her satisfaction with Mrs. Buhari’s Future Assured programme for the way it is touching the lives of the poor and vulnerable in the society.
Mrs. Gates said that efforts like these count in the individual lives of the beneficiaries of the programme.
She highlighted the need for role models in the society like the First Lady.
“It is girls that grow up to become mothers, and these girls need role models to emulate,” Mrs. Gates said.
She extended her commendation to the wives of state governors, who 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 Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole had, commended the progress of the Future Assured Programme, especially in the area of malnutrition through Mrs. Buhari’s direct support and advocacy.
He 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, chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator LanreTejuosho, promised that the Senate will continue to provide necessary legislation for effective health service delivery in the country.
