The economy of Cross
River State has been boosted with a cash prize of $1 million by the Bill and Belinda Gates Grant foundation for emerging as the best performing state in the South-South geo-political zone in the Grant Administrator.
This was announced in Calabar, the state capital, during the signing of the 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 Belinda Gates Foundation.
Dr. Hajo Sani, who represented the Grant Administrator at the ceremony, expressed happiness with the state at its level of commitment and implementation of the programme, adding that the foundation was prepared to go into technical collaboration with the state to ensure it completes the construction of its accommodation, to enable it meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets within the time frame.
Sani commended the state for being a pacesetter in the zone, as well as its effort to sustain the programme to reduce infant mortality rate which she noted, was worthy of emulation within the South-South.
In his remarks, Governor Liyel Imoke expressed appreciation for the initiative which he said had, significantly improved the effort of the State towards family health.
The Governor noted that, Cross River was committed to attaining MDGs, stressing it would go a long way at ensuring that, the poor and the vulnerable in the state had access to medical healthcare.
On the award as the best state in the South-South geo-political zone, Imoke disclosed that the feat was achieved through collective efforts of the parties involved, adding that the state would work with the foundation to attain greater heights in the sector to ensure those who needed it most were reached.
According to him, “this cash prize will be applied in terms of the letter of the MoU for its vision to be realized and achieved to enable us meet global expectation.”
The Special Adviser on Community and Primary Health, Dr. Iyam Ugot, in his introductory remarks, explained that the award, which is translated into a technical committee would enable the state achieve its MDGs 2,5,6 and 7 as well as reduce its indices from maternal health care which also covers infant mortality.
Ugot further explained 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 Grant Administrator.
With its counterpart funding of $250,000 and an additional $250,000 earlier given to the state by the foundation, the effort of the state to implement its primary healthcare implementation programme has now been boosted.
