The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has reached out to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, seeking their assistance in addressing the pressing issues of humanitarian crises and poverty alleviation within Nigeria.
According to Rhoda Ishaku Iliya, the Deputy Director of Information at FMHAPA (Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation), the Minister made this appeal during a meeting with a delegation from the foundation at her office in Abuja.
Dr. Edu highlighted that Nigeria is grappling with humanitarian crises stemming from both natural disasters and human-induced factors, including insecurity and flooding. These challenges are further compounded by the presence of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
In response to these critical concerns, the Minister emphasized the necessity of forming partnerships with development organizations, donor agencies, and the private sector. Such collaborations are essential to helping people overcome humanitarian crises and poverty, aligning with the federal government’s overarching goals.
Dr. Edu underscored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to poverty alleviation in Nigeria, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, and 3, which target 2030 as a milestone. She stressed the importance of collective efforts, stating, “Our ministry is diligently working to implement the presidential directive, and we recognize that we cannot achieve this alone. We are reliant on partners like you. Please facilitate connections with other strategic partners who can contribute to our country’s fight against poverty.”
Jeremie Zoungrana, the Country Director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, expressed the foundation’s eagerness to collaborate with the Ministry. He pledged to leverage the foundation’s extensive network to connect the ministry with strategic partners in specific areas, with the ultimate goal of eradicating poverty in Nigeria.
