Month: June 2025

Microsoft founder Bill Gates says that most of his $200bn (£150bn) fortune will be spent on improving health and education services in Africa over the next 20 years. The 69-year-old said that “by unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity”. Speaking in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, he also urged Africa’s young innovators to think about how to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare on the continent. Gates announced last month that he would give away 99% of his vast fortune by 2045, by when his foundation planned to end its operations. “I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,” he said in an address at the African Union (AU) headquarters. Mozambique’s former First Lady Graça Machel welcomed his announcement, saying it came in a “moment of crisis”. “We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us,” she said. The US government has cut aid to Africa, including programmes to treat patients with HIV/Aids, as part of US President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, raising concerns about the future of healthcare on the continent. Gates said his foundation, which has a long history of operating in Africa, would focus on improving primary healthcare. “What we’ve learned is that helping the mother be healthy and have great nutrition before she gets pregnant, while she is pregnant, delivers the strongest results,” he said. “Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference.” In a message to young innovators, the tech billionaire noted that mobile phones had revolutionised banking in Africa, and argued that AI should now be used for the continent’s benefit. “Africa largely skipped traditional banking and now you have a chance, as you build your next generation healthcare systems, to think about how AI is built into that,” he said. Gates pointed to Rwanda as an example, saying it was already improving services using AI-enabled ultrasound to identify high-risk pregnancies. The Gates Foundation said it had three priorities: ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensuring the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases, and lifting millions of people out of poverty. “At the end of 20 years, the foundation will sunset its operations,” it said in a statement. Last month, Gates said he would accelerate his giving via his foundation. “People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” he wrote in a blog post. Giving away 99% of his fortune could still leave the fifth-richest person in the world a billionaire, according to Bloomberg. Along with Paul Allen, Gates founded Microsoft in 1975, and the company soon became a dominant force in software and other tech industries. Gates has gradually stepped back from the company in recent decades, resigning as its chief executive in 2000 and as chairman in 2014. He said he had been inspired to give away money by investor Warren Buffett and other philanthropists. However, critics of his foundation say Gates uses its charitable status to avoid tax and that it has undue influence over the global health system.

By [Kamal Yalwa] A Vice Principal of Complete Child Development College, Aule, Akure, Ondo State, Mr. Rotifa, has been brutally assaulted by suspected thugs allegedly hired by the parent of a student he prevented from cheating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The attack followed an incident on Monday, May 26, when Mr. Rotifa seized an Android phone from an SS3 student who attempted to use it to cheat during the exam. The student’s mother reportedly confronted the school, demanding the phone’s return and allegedly threatening to deal with any teacher who tried to stop her child from using the device during the exams. Despite the threats, Mr. Rotifa maintained that no student would be allowed to cheat in the examination hall. On Thursday, May 29, the student’s brother—an alumnus of the school—reportedly stormed the school premises, threatening to assault the vice principal. Following the confrontation, Mr. Rotifa reported the matter to the police. However, while returning from an attempt to apprehend the suspects, the police van he was in was ambushed by the gang. The thugs reportedly dragged Mr. Rotifa out of the police vehicle and beat him severely. The injured vice principal was rushed to a hospital for treatment and discharged the following day. However, due to safety concerns, he has not returned to his residence, fearing further attacks. In a statement, the Ondo State Ministry of Education, through its Director of Schools, condemned the attack and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice. The statement reads in part: “The incident started on Monday, May 26, when an Android phone was found with one SS3 student, which is contrary to the rules and regulations of the school. Mr. Rotifa, the vice principal, seized the phone. On Thursday, the student’s mother came to the school to fight with the management, prompting the proprietor to order the phone’s return. Despite this, the student’s brother later harassed the vice principal and threatened to deal with him. After school hours, the boys were seen loitering near the school. Mr. Rotifa was advised to report to the police station, and two policemen accompanied him in a patrol van. However, they were ambushed, and Mr. Rotifa was dragged from the van and assaulted. He was treated and discharged from the hospital but has not returned home due to fear of further attacks. The state government is working with security agencies to ensure the safety of staff and students for the remaining WASSCE papers and to bring the culprits to book.” The Ondo State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment across all schools and has promised that all necessary measures will be taken to protect the lives of teachers and students.