Billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates has said Nigeria will only thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive.
Gates said this while meeting with the National Economic Council (NEC) on his visit to Abuja, Nigeria.
He has invested about $1.6 billion in Nigeria so far, he said.
While Gates said he was impressed by Nigeria’s growth in recent years, especially in technology, heĀ urged the government to invest more in both the health and education sectors.
Nigeria should also focus on human capital, he said, rather than prioritising on physical capital.
Watch him speak below:
Well said BIll, let them know. The best capital for any flourishing nation, is its human capital’s success..
He is saying rubbish, not everyone in the U.S is thriving.. Everyone cannot thrive in an economic system that needs money to work bcos money is a scarce resource.. this economic system ensures that there will be people that have and those that don’t have..
@dust don’t be a dummy now.
When there’s a general basic necessities accessible to average Nigerian then Nigeria will thrive. There are basic necessities, resources available for every American. It’s a matter of how you choose to use it. And when used poorly, there are also programs provided to help.
Nigerians know the right thing to do. Their pride, selfish, wicked and evil heart is overpowering the goodness part.
@ Dust Jeez! He doesnt literally mean everyone now come on argh!
Human capital drives any economy, ask China, India et al.. They get it, unfortunately African leadership is oblivious of this.
They are not oblivious. They just don’t give a s**t! The typical “as long as me and mines are good” short-sighted mentality is pervasive. Education: pretty much all their kids are in schools outside the country. If they are not, they are in schools with probably British or American curriculum. Health Care: LMAO! Wasn’t it our presido that made noise about banning government officials from receiving medical treatment abroad before he got elected? When I read that the Minister of State for Health carried his two legs like the boy boy he is to go and welcome the president’s son at the airport after his treatment abroad, that was it. We are doomed with this crop of leadership. Akpabio supposedly built this world class hospital while he was governor of Always Ibom. When he had that minor accident in Abuja, where did he go? Buahahahaha! Uncle Bill, please enjoy the wedding party tonight and head back abeg.
Thank you Bill Gates. “Nigeria will only thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive.”
The US has low income programs for those under the Federal Poverty Line (FPL). The US has social security for retirees. There are 401K,, student loan programs… We need to create employment and services that will encourage people to thrive to their full potential. Right now we don’t have it.
With our ‘i better pass my neighbour’ mentality, it’s almost impossible for most Nigerians to care about the common good.
And it’s pervasive. It’s not just the leaders.
@ AdamaziEvents, you ‘re right on point.
Nigeria is a nation whose leaders have seared their conscience with greed! They flaunt ansd oppress the poor masses with looted public
funds! Shamelessly, they pretend to be philantropists by tossing to the masses a tiny bit of what should rightly belongs to every Nigerian
Imagine the most populous African nation does not take care of the children, disabled and aged.
These are the most vulnerable in the society and should have free education, healthcare, skill acquisition housing and stipend.
What we have are recycled, old, dead-beat politicians, their scion and stooges gorging themselves with looted funds while paying themselves stupendous allowances. They don’t stop there – they pile up billions in foreign currencies and properties for their unborn generations.
May God take them in their cunning craftiness and turn their supposed wisdom to foolishness. May their defences desert them and their ill-gotten wealth be blown away like chaff by the whirlwind!
Pardon the typos…… and …. not ansd.
…..should belong …..not should belongs
Amen
Mr Gates is right in many ways. The Nigerian paternalistic cum oligarchic system of government, that is erroneously labeled democracy does nothing but marginalize Nigerian citizens. The Nigerian government set up the National Youth Service Corps rather than mandating a 3 year military service for every youth over 18 like most advanced nations do. They do not seem to understand or do not want to understand that the military is what makes strong, empowered, intelligent citizens. They are probably afraid such citizens will take up arms against the government of the day. If we look at the activities of the many terrorist organizations thriving in Nigeria, we will see a group of people yearning for a regimented lifestyle, a yearning for the ability to bear arms, a yearning to be part of something meaningful. The military should not be reserved for children of the elite. It is something every Nigerian citizen should be part of and that is how the ability to thrive begins. Take the example of girls being abducted by boko haram who are now saying these girls must not attend public schools. I say strip them of their abayas, put them in military fatigues and send the to a military school where they can learn to protect themselves and their families and boko haram will cease to exist knowing they will encounter a formidable force. So, yes, Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is given the opportunity to thrive.