Health Minister, Pate, resigns

The Minister of State for Health, Muhammed Pate, has resigned from his position.

Mr. Pate announced his resignation in a later dated July 22 and sent to President Goodluck Jonathan. Mr. Jonathan has also accepted the resignation which takes effect from Wednesday.

In the letter, Mr. Pate said he was resigning to take up the position of Professor in Duke University’s Global Health Institute, in the U.S.

He said in this new capacity, he would serve as Senior Adviser to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation based in Washington DC and also participate in a university-wide Africa initiative.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation plays a major role in Nigeria and other African countries in the fight against major disease like Polio.

Mr. Pate, who is currently the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication, however, said he was willing to restate this position on a part time basis; as well his position as head of the Saving One Million Lives Initiative. The president accepted both recommendations.