Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - Any Nigerian state governor whose state improves routine immunization coverage and end polio will be awarded $500,000 each by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the foundation said in a statement yesterday. Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, yesterday in Seattle, USA announced the new initiative for Nigeria's Executive Governors challenging them to deliver a dramatic improvement in polio and routine immunization by the end of 2012.

The program, initiated together with the Nigeria Governors' Forum, will recognize those Executive Governors whose states pass a pre-defined threshold to improve routine immunization coverage and end polio. The states that meet the threshold criteria will be awarded a $500,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support their top health priorities.

Gates was in Nigeria last week to discuss polio eradication and immunization with senior government leadership in Nigeria.

He met with President Goodluck Jonathan who announced a special task force to spearhead the federal effort to support states in stopping the disease.

The award will support winning governors' priority initiatives in public health, such as malaria and tuberculosis, improving immunization, HIV prevention and treatment, or safe drinking water and hygiene promotion.

In addition to the grant, those governors who achieve the goals will receive special recognition from Mr. Gates for their contribution to the elimination of polio. Winning governors will be highlighted in foundation communications, such as Mr. Gates' annual letter or the foundation's annual report, social media materials and Mr. Gates' public engagements globally.

"Nigeria's governors want to stop polio and improve routine immunization to protect Nigeria's children against preventable diseases," said Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum.

Ruby Leo and Zakariyya Adaramola

Daily Trust/05/10/2011