Foreign news

Bill Gates calls for COVID-19 meds to go to people who need them, not ‘highest bidder

Published

6 years ago

July 15, 2020

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates called for COVID-19 drugs and an eventual vaccine to be made available to countries and people that need them most, not to the “highest bidder,” saying relying on market forces would prolong the deadly pandemic.

“If we just let drugs and vaccines go to the highest bidder, instead of to the people and the places where they are most needed, we’ll have a longer, more unjust, deadlier pandemic,” Gates, founder of Microsoft, said in a video released on Saturday during a virtual COVID-19 conference organized by the International AIDS Society.

“We need leaders to make these hard decisions about distributing based on equity, not just on market-driven factors.”

With hundreds of vaccine projects under way and governments in Europe and the United States investing billions of dollars in research, trials and manufacturing, there is concern that richer nations could scoop up promising medicines against the new coronavirus, leaving developing countries empty-handed.

The European Commission and the World Health Organization have warned of an unhealthy competition in the scramble for a medicine seen as key to saving lives and resolving economic chaos sowed by virus, while some officials in Washington have indicated they would seek to prioritize U.S. residents.

Gates said efforts begun two decades ago to battle the global HIV/AIDS crisis, when countries came together to eventually make medicines available in most of the world including Africa, can serve as a model for making COVID-19 medicines widely accessible.

As examples he pointed to the 2002-created Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the U.S.-based President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief to get medicines to people to combat some of the world’s deadliest diseases as examples.

“One of the best lessons in the fight against HIV/AIDS is the importance of building this large, fair global distribution system to get the drugs out to everyone,” Gates said.

(Cover image: Microsoft founder Bill Gates attends the 10th World Health Summit 2018 event in Berlin, Germany, October 16, 2018. /Reuters)

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Foreign news

VON Forum 2026: NTAC DG Yusuf Buba Yakub Highlights Role of Technical Aid Corps in Strengthening Democratic Stability in ECOWAS

Published

6 days ago

April 11, 2026

The Gleamer

…Says Democratic Stability Thrives on an Educated and Skilled Population

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has reaffirmed the strong link between democratic stability and the presence of an educated and skilled population.

In a statement signed by the Head, Information & Public RelationsNigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi reveals that the DG made this known during the 2026 Voice of Nigeria (VON) Forum held on Thursday in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 51st anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The NTAC DG commended the foresight of African leaders, particularly General Yakubu Gowon, whose leadership led to the establishment of ECOWAS through the Lagos Accord.

He also applauded the Voice of Nigeria for sustaining the annual forum, describing it as a strategic platform for policy dialogue and regional reflection.

In his goodwill message—delivered on his behalf by his Media Assistant, Nkem Anyatta-Lafia —the DG noted that the theme of this year’s forum, “51 Years of Nigeria’s Role in Deepening Democratic Stability in ECOWAS,” aligns closely with NTAC’s mandate of promoting education, empowerment, and skills transfer across ECOWAS member states and beyond.

“It is a profound honour to stand before this distinguished assembly of thinkers, policymakers, and patriots as we reflect on a milestone that is as much about our shared history as it is about our collective future,” he stated.“For over five decades—nearly four of which NTAC has been in existence—Nigeria has played a leading role in the sub-region, not only through economic and military support but also through the strategic deployment of soft power and human capital development.”

The DG emphasized that democratic stability goes beyond the conduct of elections, stressing that it is rooted in strong institutions, a healthy populace, and an educated workforce.

“For nearly 40 years, NTAC Volunteers—comprising doctors, engineers, teachers, and legal professionals—have advanced these ideals across Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. They serve as Nigeria’s peace ambassadors, strengthening the social and technical foundations of partner nations.”

He further noted that poverty and lack of technical expertise often contribute to political instability, adding that NTAC’s interventions help build resilience and sustain democratic governance across beneficiary countries.

Highlighting the Corps’ achievements, the DG disclosed that over 11,000 Nigerian professionals have been deployed to more than 40 countries worldwide over the past four decades, contributing significantly to development efforts in line with the Federal Government’s 4-D Foreign Policy thrust—Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.

“This is the mandate NTAC continues to pursue in strengthening Nigeria’s global partnerships and reinforcing its leadership role in Africa and beyond,” he added.

He concluded by commending VON for its commitment to fostering dialogue on regional progress and urged stakeholders to sustain collaborative efforts in addressing emerging challenges to democracy in the sub-region.

The event, held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, was attended by prominent dignitaries including the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris Malagi; Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs; Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede; the Etsu Nupe, HRH Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; as well as representatives of key government institutions, the diplomatic corps, and the military high command.

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