LAGOS, June 4 (AGCNewsNet) – President Bola Tinubu has awarded American billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates with Nigeria’s third-highest national honour, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), in recognition of his decades-long commitment to improving health, agriculture, and poverty alleviation in the country.

The honour was conferred during a private ceremony held at the president’s residence in Lagos on Tuesday. A statement issued by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga said the award acknowledges Gates’ “indivisible commitment to humanity” and his inspiring role in lifting the lives of the poor and underprivileged through his foundation’s work in Nigeria.

“Today, I would like to share my happiness and respect and acknowledge one of the greatest human beings in the world,” President Tinubu said during the ceremony. “All I need to say is thank you Bill Gates. It is highly remarkable. It is an inspiration to leaders across the world, including the one standing before you.”

The CFR is Nigeria’s third-highest national honour, following the GCFR (Grand Commander of the Federal Republic) and GCON (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger). Typically reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development, the CFR is a rare recognition for foreign nationals.

Mr Gates, through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has invested over $2.8 billion in Nigeria — the highest funding the foundation has committed to any African nation. The foundation has played a central role in Nigeria’s health sector, including efforts to eradicate polio, control malaria, and support maternal and child health.

In late 2024 alone, the foundation donated $5.6 million to Nigeria for flood relief, agricultural reform, and healthcare improvements. Previous interventions include a $1 million COVID-19 relief grant in 2020 and $2 million awarded to the Nigerian Governors Forum. In 2022, the foundation committed $7 billion to Nigeria and other African countries.

Mr Gates has attributed his dedication to Nigeria to the country’s significant humanitarian needs, particularly among its vulnerable populations.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Pate, who attended the event, praised Mr Gates’s long-standing impact on Nigeria’s development sectors.

“When he came into Northern Nigeria, there were challenges with immunisation, people refusing because of ignorance,” Pate said. “With Mr Gates and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, they mobilised the entire traditional ruler’s committee and helped eradicate polio.”

Pate highlighted that Gates Foundation’s investment spans healthcare, agriculture, and the digital economy.

In his acceptance remarks, Mr Gates said the national honour was not just for him but for the foundation’s team and partners across Nigeria. “Nigeria had some ambitious goals for improving health… in the 25 years in Nigeria, we have achieved a lot,” he said.

He expressed gratitude for the collaboration with President Tinubu, Minister Pate, and Aliko Dangote, adding that child mortality has dropped due to improved vaccine distribution. He also reiterated the Foundation’s goals of reducing malnutrition and eradicating malaria in the next 20 years.

The CFR honour comes a day after Mr Gates reiterated his commitment to Africa, announcing at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa that the majority of the $200 billion his foundation will disburse over the next 20 years will be allocated to the continent.

“I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years,” he said. “The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa.”

Gates urged African leaders to invest more in primary healthcare, calling it the most impactful approach to improving well-being.

Mr Gates is scheduled to participate in the “Goalkeepers Nigeria” event on Wednesday, focusing on innovation, primary healthcare reform, and Nigeria’s evolving national strategy for artificial intelligence.

Also present at the Lagos ceremony were Aliko Dangote, Minister of Special Duties Zephaniah Jisalo, Gates Foundation executives, and Ayuba Burki Gufwan, head of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

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Source: Premium Times