Cross River gets $1m from Bill Gates Foundation

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Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation has donated One Million dollars to Cross River State for emerging as the best performing State in the South-South Geopolitical Zone Nigeria Governors’ Leadership Challenge Grant.

Dr. Hajo Sani, Grant Administrator of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, announced the donation in Calabar during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Nigeria Governors’ Leadership Challenge Grant Cross River State. 

In the Foundation’s estimation, they were satisfied at the state’s level of commitment and implementation of the programme.

 It described the state as a pacesetter in the zone, pledging its readiness to sustain the programme to reduce infant mortality.

Governor Liyel Imoke who was visibly happy at the donation said the initiative would significantly improve the effort of the State towards family health.Imoke reiterated the commitment of the state at attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) which would ensure that the poor and the vulnerable in the state will have access to medical healthcare.

He said the State would work with the Foundation to attain greater heights.

The Special Adviser on Community and Primary Health, Dr. Iyam Ugot, said the prize would enable the state achieve its MDGs 2,5,6 and 7 as well as reduce its indices from maternal health care which also covers infant mortality.