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COVID-19: Bill Gates Reacts To Claims He Offered House of Reps $10m Bribe

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Nigeria Should Prepare For Next Pandemic - Bill Gates
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Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has denied claims that he offered members of the Nigerian House of Representatives $10million bribe to pass the Infectious Diseases Bill.

Naija News had reported that the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) had accused the leadership of the House of Reps of allegedly taking the bribe from Bill Gates to pass a compulsory vaccine bill.

Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the spokesperson of the opposition political parties, said the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila is the brain behind the plot.

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Ugochinyere, who stated that the bribe was to secure the speedy passage of the bill without recourse to legislative public hearing, urged lawmakers in the lower chamber to rise against impunity.

The opposition political parties revealed that the controversial Control of Infectious Diseases Bill 2020 otherwise known as the Compulsory Vaccination Bill is proposing a compulsory vaccination of all Nigerians.

Reacting on Monday, Bill Gates foundation, in a letter signed by its Nigeria Country Office Director, Paulin Basinga, described the allegations by CUPP as false.

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He stated that the Bill Gates foundation had not offered bribes to Nigerian lawmakers for the passage of the Bill.

The letter reads: “The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has recently been made aware of an allegation circulating in certain elements of the Nigerian media that the foundation was involved in a payment purportedly made to the Nigeria 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 continues to make concerted efforts towards containing the impact of the pandemic and leveraging the National COVID-19 Multi-sectoral Pandemic Response Plan, the Foundation is pleased to continue its partnership with the several government agencies in aligning its support to what would be most beneficial to the Nigerian people in these unprecedented times.”