USAID, others pledge $82m lifeline to fight malaria
On December 19, 2011 · In News ,
BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

LAGOS – The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, and other multi-national collaborators have pledged $82 million towards the fight against scourge of malaria in the country.

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terrence McCulley, who said this at the launch of Malaria Action Projects for States, MAPS, added that his government was committed to partnering with African countries to build capacity in stamping out malaria.

He said: “Under the U S-funded President’s Malaria initiative,PMI, there are plans to work with partners to reduce by half the burden of malaria to 70 per cent of the at-risk populations in sub- Saharan African (approximately 450 million residents), thereby eliminating malaria as a major public concern and promoting development throughout Africa.”

MAPS is a USAID- funded integrated malaria project that enjoys PMI support.

The MAPS project, which spans five years beginning from 2010 to 2015, will run in six states – Zamfara, Benue, Nasarawa, Oyo, Ebonyi and Cross Rivers.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammed Pate, said Nigeria loses about N132 billion annually to manage malaria illness among its population, leading to depletion of labour force through diseases caused by species of mosquitoes.

The minister, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Dr. Labaran Shinkafi, said associated losses include huge man-hour by the nation’s labour force.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/12/usaid-others-pledge-82m-lifeline-to-fight-malaria/

$82M is just chicken change to the trio of Adeboye, Oyedepo and Oyakilome, just to mention. These people generate billions of naira monthly from their poor , often malaria traumatised, followers, on tithes, offerings, seed sowing and all manners of levies in the name of god.
What better way is there to utilise money collected on behalf of god, than to use same to contribute to the overall welfare of the same children of god?
Many will shout that it is the responsibility of government and not the preachers to tackle the problems of society. Agree. But the moment a preacher opens his hands to accept money from members of the public in the name of god or whatever, it becomes his responsiblity to use the monies collected to contribute to the welfare of the congregation and the broader community.
That , to me, would be best reperesentation of redeeming message of the humble Nazerene and the loving grace of god.
It is soooo shameful and ciminal that we accept donations from foreign charities to help provide access to basic healthcare for our poor, while the so-called apostles of Jesus buy private jets and stash the wealth , milked from the very poor , in the same foreign countries that we depend on for donations.
What a tragedy of misplaced trust.