Mr Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election has said he agrees with Bill Gates on the Microsoft co-founder’s comments on the “japa” syndrome.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Gates had been reported to have said the recent surge of Nigerian professionals leaving the country for greener pastures is good and healthy.
Reacting, Mr Obi said had always preached and maintained this same position on the “japa wave”.
“I read and agree with Bill Gates’s recent comment on the “japa” syndrome, where, according to reports, he stated that the recent surge of Nigerian professionals leaving the country for greener pastures is good and healthy for our country. I have always preached and maintained this same position on the “japa wave”.
“For years now, and throughout my campaign in the last Presidential election, especially during my tours from Canada, the USA, Germany, the UK, and other countries, I maintained that “Our brain drain today will be our brain gain tomorrow.”
“Nigerians leaving the country may look like a loss today, but when we start doing the right things and taking the governance of our nation more seriously, the knowledge and resources from them will be critical in the building of the New Nigeria, as it happened in China, India, Ireland and other developing countries.
“Today, India prides itself as one of the countries with the biggest tech talents in the world, having produced some of the world’s top engineers and computer scientists. Many top global tech companies are headed by CEOs of Indian origin.
“So India’s success in the tech industry can partly be attributed to its ability to harness the knowledge and resources of Indians in the diaspora for their national growth.
“Nigeria will grow and develop on all fronts when we build the New Nigeria that prioritises investment in education, health, and support for small businesses, guarantees respect for the rule of law, security of lives and properties, and unity of the nation.
“Then our diasporan Nigerians around the world will return home with their global training, skills and resources, to immeasurably contribute to building a New and better Nigeria. We will not give up on our dreams for the New Nigeria,” Peter Obi stated.
Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates, has emphasized the urgent need for the Nigerian government to enhance investment in its health sector to unlock the country’s vast potential.
Gates who spoke at the Pan-African Youth Innovation Forum in Lagos on Wednesday, noted that Nigeria’s talented population could achieve great things, but without access to essential resources, their potential would remain untapped.
He highlighted the alarming fact that Nigeria’s healthcare budget is a mere $10 per person annually, significantly lower than the sub-Saharan African average of $31.
“Leaders need to make a much bigger financial commitment, focused most of all on improving primary health systems.
“Making sure clinics are well-staffed and supplied, making sure children get the vaccines they need—all of this is absolutely essential to improving health and opportunity and unlocking all of Nigeria’s potential,” he said.
Gates stressed the importance of well-staffed clinics, reliable supplies, and comprehensive vaccination programs to enhance health, foster opportunities, and unlock Nigeria’s vast potential.
Additionally, he expressed his intention to engage the government in discussions regarding increased investments in agriculture and digital financial systems and encouraged Nigerian youths to hold their leaders accountable and ensure the implementation of commitments made in these areas.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Health Salma Anas, stated during a Health Policy Dialogue held in Abuja today, that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s healthcare reform agenda will prioritize Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The dialogue aimed to examine Nigeria’s health policy priorities, considering the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Health Reform and the citizens-led health agenda, while charting a course of action.
Anas further disclosed that the President’s objective is to bridge the gap between the underprivileged and access to quality healthcare by providing financial security.
The Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates has recalled telling Nigerian leaders when he visited the country back in 2018 that the country has potential for growth.
Gates, who visited Nigeria this week and had met with President Bola Tinubu, however, noted that Nigerians are still facing many of the challenges he talked about five years ago.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Microsoft co-founder made the disclosure during the Pan-African Youth Innovation Forum on Wednesday in Lagos, as part of activities for his visit to Nigeria.
The Forum had the theme: “Advancing Africa: Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science and Innovation.’’
He urged the Federal Government to improve investment in equitable solutions and in the people who are working on them.
Gates said that Nigeria was full of talented people with a lot of potential, but noted that it could be hard to fulfill that potential if they don’t have access to the most basic building blocks of life.
“It may not surprise you that Nigeria’s state and federal governments only spend the equivalent of $10 on health per person each year, compared to $31 in sub-Saharan Africa as a whole.
“Leaders need to make a much bigger financial commitment, focused most of all on improving primary health systems.
“Making sure clinics are well-staffed and supplied, making sure children get the vaccines they need—all of this is absolutely essential to improving health and opportunity and unlocking all of Nigeria’s potential,” he said.
Gates said that he would speak with the government about increasing commitments to agriculture and digital financial systems.
According to him, Nigerian youths have shown how passionate they are about progress, but they need to encourage their leaders to follow through on these commitments.
“The last time I visited Nigeria in 2018, I spoke to government leaders about your country’s potential for growth.
“This time, I wanted to speak also with you: Nigeria’s next generation of innovators.
“Ever since I was a teenager, writing computer code on a terminal at my high school, and later at Microsoft, I have loved the feeling of innovating to make something a little better for people—or a lot better.
“I’m sure you know this feeling too. There’s going to be a lot of opportunity for you to continue to make a difference in the world, because of the unprecedented potential of new technologies.
“However, Nigerians are still facing many of the challenges I talked about five years ago—and you have to contend with economic instability and security threats.
“I have a lot of faith that your generation will persevere and improve lives throughout Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
Gates said that talented youths are a powerful asset to making the world a better place.
He said that Nigeria’s huge youth population represented a lot of potential skills and passion to solve big problems.
“Yesterday, I met some impressive Nigerians whom the Gates Foundation has been partnering with for years.
“These scientists are improving seeds, fertiliser, and biopesticides so farmers can thrive in the face of climate change and grow crops free of toxins.
“And I met with a researcher scaling up an effective way to reduce anemia in pregnant women,” he said.
Gates said that young people needed strong support system to thrive, starting with education.
He added that Nigeria had a strong foundation, with some of the best educational and research institutions across the continent.
He stressed the need to bridge inequity in health, education, financial services and pay gaps to drive development.
Gates expressed his belief in the power of science and innovation to help people lead long, healthy lives, but noted that he had learnt that the benefits don’t automatically reach everyone.
“To do that, the people creating new breakthroughs, funding them, and getting them into the world all need to prioritise equity,” he said.
The philanthropist said that there are many exciting innovations in the global pipeline that would improve lives here in Nigeria.
“They’re going to prevent infectious diseases, provide life-saving interventions for mothers and babies; make food more nutritious, and give women more convenient contraception options.
“Down the road, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be applied in ways that will bring quality health care and education to more people,” he said.
Gates expressed excitement at the potential AI had to save and improve lives, but, said that won’t happen if profit was the only motive.
“So, our foundation is thinking about what we can do to help AI develop in ways that improve the lives and well-being of everyone, not just the wealthiest people in a few rich countries.
“The foundation has issued a call for proposals or what we call a “Grand Challenge” for innovative, safe uses of large language models.
“We received 1,300 proposals, and half of them were from Africa. The winners will be announced in Senegal in October.
“We hope what emerges will help build an evidence base for advancing equitable outcomes in health and development everywhere in the world,” he said.
Co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates has disclosed what his 20-year-old daughter, Phoebe told him when he was coming to Nigeria.
Gates disclosed that Phoebe told him he would be lucky to see Nigerian Afrobeats stars, such as Burna Boy and Rema when he visits Nigeria.
Gates disclosed this while delivering his opening address at an event in Lagos State on Wednesday.
The moderated event, tagged ‘Advancing Africa: Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science and Innovation’, was aimed at gathering insights and sharing perspectives on how science and innovation can accelerate positive change and contribute to a brighter outlook for Africa.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the event was co-hosted by the Co-Creation Hub Nigeria and Lagos Business School.
According to him, “When my daughter, Phoebe heard I was coming to Nigeria, she said, “You’re lucky because you get to see Burna Boy and Rema”, so I had to look them up…because I’m so ‘hip’.
“But I remember the last time I was here, I got to see Davido & Wizkid perform.”
Gates added that Nigeria is filled with creative minds and Afrobeats from Nigeria are popular everywhere.
“Of course, being here in Nigeria, I can’t help but mention the amazing creativity that goes on here.
“Afrobeats from Nigeria are popular everywhere. When my daughter Phoebe heard I was coming to Nigeria, she said, ‘You’re lucky to go see Burna Boy and Rema,” he said.
The American business mogul, who recalled his last visit to Nigeria said:
“But I also remember, the last time I was here, I did get to see Davido and Wizkid perform and I was quite impressed with that. So, my kids think I’ve come to a very hip place”.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday met with the co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, and the chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.
Tinubu met with Gates and Dangote at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting was disclosed by Tinubu’s media aide, Dayo Olusegun, via his Twitter handle.
According to Olusegun: “Mr @BillGates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and founder of Microsoft has arrived the Presidential Villa with Alhaji @AlikoDangote to see President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).”
Last week, Dangote disclosed that Tinubu would meet with Gates today.
The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has revealed the reason behind his Friday visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dangote to have said he was at the State House to schedule a meeting between Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates and President Tinubu.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door session with Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Vila on Friday, Dangote disclosed he and Gates will both see the President on Monday.
“I did not come to do much. I only came to inform the President about our visit with Microsoft co-founder and my friend Bill Gates.
“We will both see the President on Monday when we come together,” Dangote said.
The 42nd president of the United States, Bill Clinton, 1993 to 2001, American business magnate, Bill Gates and the entertainment world have described the late Britain’s monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as “a woman of importance” as they mourn her death.
Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully on Thursday at Balmoral.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that tributes have started pouring in for the 96-year-old late Queen Elizabeth II.
The late Queen Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Her son, now King Charles III, said in a statement: “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.”
The late British monarch knighted many musicians and actors over the decades, including Mick Jagger, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Michael Palin and Anthony Hopkins.
A statement from His Majesty King Charles III:
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this June, and in turn became the second longest-serving monarch in history – second to Louis XIV of France who became king at four years old. She was 27 at the time of her official coronation.
Overall, the Queen swore in 15 UK Prime Ministers during her 70 years on the throne including the newly-appointed PM Liz Truss.
TRIBUTES:
In his tribute, Elton John wrote: “Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing. She was an inspiring presence to be around and led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth. Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 04: Queen Elizabeth II is introduced to Sir Elton John (L) backstage by Gary Barlow (R) after the Diamond Jubilee, Buckingham Palace Concert June 04, 2012 in London, England. For only the second time in its history the UK celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of a monarch. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have flocked to London to witness the spectacle of the weekend’s celebrations.
Mick Jagger said: “For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there. In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the Royal family.”
See more tributes below:
Elton John (@eltonofficial)
God bless Queen Elizabeth II
May she rest in peace
Long live The King
Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney)
Oh dear. Oh my. Oh heavens. Bless my soul. Oh lor. Heck.
Stevie Nicks (@StevieNicks)
For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there. In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the Royal family.
Mick Jagger (@MickJagger)
God bless Queen Elizabeth peace and love to all the family peace and love Ringo.
The Beatles (@thebeatles)
My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and all the people Her Majesty inspired throughout her lifetime of service.
Bill Clinton (@BillClinton)
What a privilege it was to perform for her.
My deepest sympathies to the Royal Family.
God save the King.
Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth
Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) September 8, 2022
“Thank You” to Her Majesty, The Queen. She devoted her life to her country and to the service of others. I am happy I was able to say thank you to Her Majesty at this year’s Platinum Jubilee. With love and condolences to all of her family, we all celebrate her life.
Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss)
We would like to send out deepest sympathy to the Royal family following the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II; a strong and powerful woman whose seventy year reign was served with integrity, dignity, grace and compassion. With love, Yoko and Sean Ono Lennon.
Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher)
I mourn with my country the passing of our greatest Queen. With a heavy heart I say it is devastating the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II.
Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne)
Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth ll. The embodiment of strength, dignity and unwavering commitment to her vow. May you be at peace beside His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburg. Long Live The King.
Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne)
I had a quiet weep for the Queen, I am sad for my country and what it has lost.
Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW)
The Queen was the longest-serving Monarch in British history and did so with grace.
Rest In Peace HRH Queen Elizabeth II ??? pic.twitter.com/8swzU32Ant
MOBO (@MOBOAwards)
I feel honored to have met HM Queen Elizabeth, and I am very sad to hear of her passing. My deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the British people.
Bill Gates (@BillGates)
“God save the queen, cus’ she’s the head of state
I went bangin’ on my adversaries with an empty plate” ?? Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth.
Bill Gates and Queen Elizabeth II
Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ)
It is with great sadness that we mourn today the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. On behalf of the Stella McCartney team, I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the Royal Family.
Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW)
Today is a very sad day for the entire world. I’m deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Monarch, Her Majesty The Queen. She will be remembered for her steadfast loyalty and service and my thoughts are with the royal family at this time.
Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham)
It never made any sense having a queen and yet she, Elizabeth, somehow rose above all the debate around privilege or political controversy in a life stoically devoted to public service and duty. Eight decades of public life. A woman of importance.
Nigerian lawmaker Akin Alabi, has asked people to stop encouraging others to drop out of school because tech billionaires Elon Musk and Bill Gates dropped out of school.
In his post shared on social media, Akin stated that contrary to popular opinion, most tech billionaires graduated from school. He wrote
‘Over half of Billion Dollar tech companies founders have a minimum of masters degrees. Don’t encourage people to drop out school because Bill Gates and Elon Musk did. Let me tell you something’.
‘Elon Musk dropped out of PhD not JS2. ?. Bill Gates was a rich kid with a mother on the board of IBM. Be comparing that with yourself’.
‘Go to school, send your children to school. It’s the best bet for the average person to succeed. Of course, you can develop yourself in other areas’.
Co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates, has described his recent divorce from Melinda French Gates as “a very sad milestone” and a source of “personal sadness.”
Billionaire Gates spoke in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper as reported by New York Post on Wednesday, saying that his relationship with billionaire Jeffrey Epstein was a “mistake.”
Jeffrey Edward Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender who committed suicide on August 10, 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre, New York, United States
The Microsoft founder split with Melinda after 27 years of marriage.
Gates told the anchor that he and his ex-wife will continue their philanthropy work together, citing her “incredible strengths” in furthering the missions of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Melinda has said she will try to work with Bill on the foundation for at least two more years.
Concerning his relationship with the late Epstein, which was reportedly a source of contention in his marriage, Gates said, “I had several dinners with him, hoping that what he said about getting billions of philanthropy for global health through contacts he had might emerge.
“When it looked like that wasn’t a real thing, that relationship ended. It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility. I made a mistake.”
Gates said he does have some regrets about reports of a toxic culture at Microsoft, including allegations that he made unwanted advances on women at work, which he denies.
“At this time, I need to go forward, my work is very important to me. Within the family, we’ll heal as best we can and learn from what’s happened,” Gates said.
Gates, who has donated at least $1.75 billion to fight COVID-19, said he is pleased with the effectiveness and production of vaccinations but is alarmed by the highly transmissible Delta variant.
“We wanted to be nearer to the end than we are, but Delta is very bad news,” he added.
Bill and Melinda Gates have finally ended their 27-year marriage after the divorce was officially approved by a Washington court on Monday.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Melinda filed a petition for divorce to the King County court in Washington in May, stating that her relationship with Bill was “irretrievably broken”.
The divorce paperwork finalized on Monday stated that she would not be changing her name and did not offer any spousal support, which French Gates said was not necessary in her original filing.
The decisions regarding division of property were outlined in a separation agreement that was not included in Monday’s dissolution decree.
Gates, 65, and French Gates, 56, first announced their divorce in a joint statement in May, saying they no longer “believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives.”
“After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage,” they said in the statement. “Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives”.
News of the divorce raised questions about how the couple’s business and charitable dealings might be impacted.
Gates, who founded Microsoft in 1975 and owns 1.3 percent of its shares, is a multibillionaire and one of the wealthiest people in the world. He has not served as Microsoft’s chief executive since 2000 and stepped down from the board last year.
Both have agreed to continue to run The Gates Foundation together following their divorce, they said last month. The foundation’s assets have been valued at nearly $50 billion, according to its financial statements.
It’s been considered the world’s largest private philanthropic organization for the past 20 years.
According to the couple, if after two years Gates and French Gates decide they cannot continue in their roles, French Gates will resign her positions as co-chair and trustee. Gates would buy her out of the foundation and she would receive resources from him to do her own philanthropic work as part of the agreement.
