Good governance: Cross River receives $1m from Gates Foundation

Cross River State has received a cash prize of $1million from the Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation for emerging as the best performing state in the South-South geo-political zone, under the  Nigeria Governors’ Leadership Challenge Grant.
Announcing the cash award during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the Nigeria Governors’ Leadership Challenge Grant between Cross River State and the Grant Administrator of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Calabar, the representative of the Gates Foundation, Dr. Hajo Sani said that  it was intended to boost good governance and encourage other states to live above board in managing state resources. Sani said: “I am happy and impressed with the State at its level of commitment and implementation of the programme. I commend the state for being a pacesetter in the zone, as well as its effort to sustain the program to reduce infant mortality.”
Responding, Governor Liyel Imoke expressed appreciation for the initiative which he said, had significantly improved the effort of the state towards family health.

adding that the state was committed to attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and ensuring that the poor and the vulnerable in the state had access to medical healthcare.
He promised to 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 healthcare which also covers infant mortality. He said  that the cash would enable the state build accommodation for the facilities as well as carry out the training of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and other health care workers to chart a plan in conjunction with the Grant Administrator.

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