Bill Gates denies offering $10m bribes to the House of Reps - Vaccine

Smart Updates had reported that the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) had alleged that the Green Chamber of the National Assembly had been offered money to pass the bill despite no input from stakeholders.

However, the co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates has denied claims that it offered a $10million bribe to members of the House of Representatives to pass the Infectious Diseases Bill.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, CUPP claimed that this intelligence is coupled with information on the reported receipt, from sources outside the country but very interested in the Bill, which amounts to $10 million from the sponsors and supporters of the bill to be circulated among lawmakers to ensure the smooth passage of the Bill.

But reacting on Monday, Bill Gates foundation, in a letter signed by its Nigeria Country Office Director, Paulin Basinga, described the allegations as ‘false and without merit.

Basinga maintained that the foundation had not offered any financial incentives to any member of Nigeria’s legislative branch for the passage of the Bill, nor did it offer any grant to organizations in Nigeria.

He stated that the foundation was focused on improving the quality of life for the Nigerian people.

The letter entitled 'Gates Foundation Statement on allegation of misconduct' reads in part, 'The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has recently been made aware of an allegation circulating in certain elements of the Nigerian media that the foundation has been involved in a payment allegedly made to the Nigerian House of Representatives.

The Foundation adheres to strict ethical and legal guidelines across all areas of its operations. What drives the Foundation’s work is the simple and compelling belief that all lives have equal value, and that everyone deserves to lead a healthy productive life. The Foundation works in very diverse settings around the globe in a nonpartisan fashion, consistent with strict U.S. private foundation restrictions on political and legislative engagement.

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Globally, the Foundation is committed to helping strengthen diagnostic testing, protect at-risk populations; and develop vaccines, treatments and diagnostics in response to COVID-19. The Foundation is currently providing support to the Nigerian government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and broader health issues, working in partnership with international health agencies, development organizations, and civil society.

The Foundation invests in programs that address Nigeria’s health and development challenges which align with Nigeria’s development agenda and priorities.

As the Nigerian Government seeks to make concerted efforts to minimize the effects of the pandemic and exploit the National COVID-19 Multi-Sector Pandemic Response Strategy, the Foundation is pleased to continue its relationship with a range of government agencies to align its assistance with what will be more helpful to the Nigerian people in these extraordinary times.

The Foundation commended the Nigerian Government for its rapid reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also thanked the Presidential Task Force, other government agencies and the legislature for their contribution to combating the pandemic and protecting the people of Nigeria.