BILL GATES CANCELS VISIT TO NIGERIA

United States richest man and philanthropist, Bill Gates, has cancelled his planned official visit to Nigeria scheduled for March 27. Gates’ action, it was believed was part of an unfolding diplomatic row between the US and Nigeria following the
controversial pardon granted by President Goodluck Jonathan to ex- convicts Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Shettima Bulama. He was scheduled to meet President Goodluck Jonathan, state governors and officials of the Federal Ministry of Health on the polio eradication campaign of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Diplomatic sources said the trip was cancelled, two days after the US government expressed disappointment with the Federal Government for pardoning convicted money launderers. Gates was reported to have already instructed his staff to inform the Nigerian Presidency, the secretariat of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Federal Ministry of Health that he was no longer coming. “The State Department has advised him that Nigeria is not conducive for such
visit at this time,” a source said. “We hope that the Nigerian government will get the message and return to the path of sanity.”

Culled From PUNCH....