Aliko Dangote and Bill Gates pledge $100m to combating malnutrion in Nigeria

Two of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote, have committed $100 million, about N1.97 billion, to fighting malnutrition in Nigeria.

A deal to that effect was signed by the duo on behalf of Bill & Melinda Gates and Dangote Foundation, respectively, in a new partnership aimed at improving the nutrition of children in the country’s North-East and North-West Regions.

The programme will include community-based approaches and proven interventions linked to behavior change, fortification of staple foods with essential micronutrients; the community management of acute malnutrition and investments in local production of nutritious foods.

A key objective will be improving the livelihoods of households by supporting nutrition-sensitive agricultural programmes that can increase family income, improve diets and empower women and youth.

11 million children malnourished- Dangote

Speaking at the partnership, Dangote said that the programme was starting with the North-East and North-West because they had the highest number of acutely malnourished children in the country.

His words: “These two areas we are talking about, when you look at the numbers of malnourished children in Nigeria, they account for over 50 per cent. We therefore want to tackle those areas before we begin to look at other parts of the country.

“Globally, Nigeria has the second highest number of acute malnutrition cases, standing at 37 per cent. Malnourished children become stunted in their growth. They never reach their full potentials and are never able to contribute fully to the development of society. Stunted girls also grow to become stunted adult women who give birth to low weight babies who are at high risk of malnutrition, thus the vicious cycle of malnutrition continues, if not addressed.”

Vanguard

Video - The expanding gap between the rich and poor in Nigeria

The 2016 Global Wealth Report which examines wealth distribution, opportunities and privileges within society has shown a stark disparity between the worlds rich and poor. Here’s a look at how Nigeria's inequality gap is impacting the nation, and how President Muhammadu Buhari 's change agenda is striving to address the needs of the poor.

Former Super Eagle Daniel Amokachi soon to be coaching Finnish club JS Hercules

Former Super Eagles coach, Daniel Amokachi, has secured a one-year deal to handle Finnish side, JS Hercules, and is to resume immediately with the team.

The Finnish second division side, on their official website on Wednesday, announced the hiring of Amokachi and the other reshuffling in their technical crew.

“Oulu-based football club Hercules has signed an agreement with former Nigeria national team player and Coach Daniel Amokachi.

“The head coach for the previous season Pekka Haaranen will continue as assistant coach. Amokachi’s agreement with Hercules is one year,” the club stated.

Amokachi, who had a short stint as interim manager for the national team, was an assistant coach to Stephen Keshi when Nigeria won Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.

The last coaching job for the former Everton and Besiktas of Turkey player was a short spell with Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, which ended abruptly barely few weeks after the celebrated move.

Hercules, who are based in Oulu, Finland, were recently promoted to the Finnish second tier and will hope for more upward swing under their new Nigerian manager, Amokachi.

While Dan the Bull as Amokachi is fondly referred to, enjoyed much success as a player, he is yet to hit it big in coaching.

Premium Times

Oba of Ibadan Odulana Odugade passes away at 101

An influential monarch in south-west Nigeria, the Olubadan, or ruler of Ibadan land, has died at the age of 101, his son has confirmed to the BBC.

Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, who ruled over Nigeria's third largest city Ibadan, died in his sleep on Tuesday evening, Nigeria's Punch newspaper quotes palace sources as saying.

An official announcement of the Yoruba king's death is expected later.

Although largely symbolic, the Olubadan still has strong regional influence.

'Very stern'

Nigeria's many monarchs vary in hierarchy and importance with some ruling over large areas, while others are traditional rulers of a village or town.

The Olubadan is one of the few unelected figures whom the government would consult on major policy issues in the south-west, reports the BBC's Chris Ewokor from the capital, Abuja.

Speaking to the BBC, his son Prince Gbade Lana described the late Olubadan as "a good father, very very stern".

"He preached humility... he taught us that once you are humble you will be able to achieve anything in life."


BBC

Bill Gates visits Kaduna, Nigeria

Founder of Microsoft and one of the world's richest men Bill Gates is visiting Nigeria to sign a memorandum of understanding on routine immunization with the governors of six Nigerian states.