Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on Thursday met with co-Chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates; the chairman of the Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, and members of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

The meeting which commenced at 11:43 am was held behind closed doors at the State House, Abuja. It is part of engagements lined up for Mr Gates’ visit to Nigeria and the Niger Republic.

As of the time of filing this report, the agenda of the meeting is not yet known. However, it is gathered that participants would consider areas of collaboration between both foundations and the Federal Government, especially in the health and education sectors.

In attendance at the meeting are the NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Adbulrazaq and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed. Others are Governors Umar Radda (Katsina), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto) and Umar Namadi (Jigawa State).

Also at the meeting were Alex Otti (Abia), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Nasiru Idris (Kebbi).

Others include Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Umar Bago (Niger), Senator Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Sim Fubara (Rivers), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe) and Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) were yet to arrive.

Also in attendance are the Deputy Governors of Kaduna, Delta, Kano, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Benue states, amongst others.