Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State on Thursday participated in a closed-door meeting Vice President Kashim Shettima had with his colleague-governors and some development partners.
The parley was held at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, a statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Katsina Governor, revealed.
The co-Chairman of the Bills and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, and Chairman of Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, were part of the meeting.
The specific agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, but a media advisory from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said Mr. Gates’ visit to Niger and Nigeria is part of the foundation’s commitment to collaborating with communities and leaders, to promote innovation for accelerated progress and improved lives, across Africa.
The American billionaire entrepreneur on Monday met with President Bola Tinubu, as part of the programme to learn from partners helping to address polio, anemia, and other health threats; scientists applying research to develop agricultural innovations that will help with food security and climate adaptation; innovators using technology to improve access to financial services; and others working to improve lives in Niger and Nigeria and throughout the continent.
Gates and his delegation had also been scheduled to meet with national and regional leaders to encourage them to make investments and advance policies that promote innovation and provide equitable opportunities, despite challenging economic conditions.
He was similarly expected to participate in a conversation with students and young leaders to gather insights and share perspectives on how science and innovation can accelerate positive change and contribute to a brighter outlook for Africa.
The Governors who participated in today’s meeting with Senator Shettima, alongside Governor Radda include Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, Governor Abdulrahman Adbulrazaq of Kwara State; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa; Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State; Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, and Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, together with the Deputy Governors of some States.