Monkeypox: British government offers to help Nigeria

BRITISH government has promised to assist Nigeria to address the ravaging scourge of monkey pox disease in some parts of the country.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Laure Beaufils, described the outbreak as a serious concern.

“This outbreak is a very serious concern. British Government is supporting the Government of Nigeria in addressing health, education and basic services in general and to ensure that the health of the population here goes from strength to strength. We are monitoring the situation very closely with the World Health Organisation and we will be reviving our support as and when we go.

“We will be monitoring the situation closely and will provide through the Department for International Development about £400m in aids to Nigeria every year in support of poverty reduction, health and education. Our support is wide, broad and deep and of course we cannot respond to every priority here and I hope the government itself, as well as the state governments will take responsibility and invest in health solutions to protect their people”, he said.

When asked if it is possible for Nigeria to have a female president, the British envoy said that, “Absolutely (it is possible for Nigeria to have a female president.) I see no reason why not. I think girls ought to have that ambition. I think the moral model there are for young girls, the better. I hope to see many more women governors and ultimately a woman president. I think it will be a very good thing for the country.

Specifically, what about in 2019?

In specifics, is it right to have a woman president? Of course it is right. There is no right or wrong about it. A woman is just as able as a man. If it is going to happen in 2019, possibly not, because there are not many women in very senior positions right now that are vying for the presidency, I do not think. But of course it should be possible.