Bill Gates, world’s second
richest man, says the federal government’s investments in young people,
especially in areas of health and education, is not good enough.
He said this in an interview with
CNN. The co-chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation reiterated the
comments he made when he spoke at the expanded national economic council
meeting on Thursday.
At the meeting which was presided
over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Gates had said the execution priorities
of the economic recovery and growth plan do not reflect the true needs of
Nigerians.
“The Nigerian government’s
economic recovery and growth plan identify investing in our people as one of
three strategic objectives. But the execution priorities don’t fully reflect
people’s needs, prioritising physical capital over human capital,” he had said.
“People without roads, ports, and
factories can’t flourish. And roads, ports and factories without skilled
workers to build and manage them can’t sustain an economy.”
Nasir el-Rufai, governor of
Kaduna state, who was at the meeting had defended the federal government,
saying Gates’ comment was incorrect.
But in the chat with CNN, the
billionaire businessman defended his criticism of the Nigerian government.
He said Nigeria would become an
engine of growth if the government gets health and education right.
“As a partner in Nigeria, I am
saying the current plan is inadequate. Nigeria has all these young people and
the current quality and quantity of investment in these young generations; in
health and education just isn’t good enough. So, I was very direct,” he told
CNN.
“If they can get health and
education right, they will be an engine of growth not just for themselves but
for all of Africa.”
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