As a way of showing appreciation for his quality services and paying tribute to his philanthropy and business acumen, the President of the Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, awarded that the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, with a national honour.
Dangote was awarded the Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger, on Wednesday, August 3
The national award came amidst the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Aliko Dangote Foundation, alongside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and GAVI the Vaccine Alliance with the government of the Republic of Niger on a collaboration for improving the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in Diffa, Maradi and Zinder regions, which are along the country’s southern border with Nigeria.
The three regions of Diffa, Maradi and Zinder share a common border with Northern Nigeria and together make up almost 28% of Niger’s land area and about 40% of the country’s population.
Speaking about the MoU partnership, the Managing Director of Aliko Dangote Foundation said:
“ADF is committing $1 million over 3 years; BMGF are providing $2 million, while GAVI is bringing in $10 million worth of vaccines under this MoU. ADF and BMGF are bringing in the money required to stimulate demand for the vaccines that GAVI is bringing in to ensure maximum uptake and coverage.”
Meanwhile, the objective of the MoU is to collaborate on strengthening vaccination in Niger to improve the delivery of routine vaccine services in the three regions in order to achieve full vaccination coverage of 90% of the target population by December 2024.
To ensure that at least 90% of districts achieve 90% Penta 3 vaccination coverage; to vaccinate 90% of the zero doses identified.
To stop poliovirus transmission and maintain polio-free status; and to ensure consistent national funding and procurement of vaccines in order to secure a sustained and steady supply of all routine vaccines throughout the country.
