The chairman of Bill and Melinda Foundation, Bill Gates, on Thursday, March 22, said that Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world.
Gates who stated this at the Expanded National Economic Council alongside the Chairman of the Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja..
The theme of the event was “Role of human capital investment in supporting pro-poor and economic growth agenda.”
He said: “The most important choice you can make is to maximize your greatest resource, the Nigerian people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive.
“If you invest in their health, education and opportunities-the “human capital” we are talking about today-then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.
“Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic and Chad. One in three Nigerian children is chronically malnourished.
“I urge you to apply this thinking to all your investments in your people. The Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan identifies “investing in our people” as one of three “strategic objectives.” But the “execution priorities” don’t fully reflect people’s needs, prioritizing physical capital over human capital.
“To anchor the economy over the long term, investments in infrastructure and competitiveness must go hand in hand with investments in people. People without roads, ports, and factories can’t flourish. And roads, ports and factories without skilled workers to build and manage them can’t sustain an economy.”
Perviously.President Muhammadu Buhari played host to Bill Gates and Alhaji Aliko Dangote at the Presidential Villa. The president met the duo on Wednesday, March 21.
Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is visiting Nigeria to see first-hand the progress the country is making on primary healthcare provision, polio eradication, nutrition and financial inclusion.
He will be asking partners to prioritise supporting Nigeria’s poorest people to ensure a sustainable and inclusive economic future, and allow the county to meet its ambitious growth and development agenda.
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