By Christian George
A Nigerian medical expert, Obinna Onyekwena, has been appointed the director of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
This was made known by Obinna via his Linkedin handle on Sunday.
The 44-years old Nigerian who has gained relevant experience in supporting developing countries to tackle infectious diseases, will be leading the foundation’s portfolio and investment with the view to increasing its resources.
The Nigerian medical doctor will also be responsible for leading the foundation’s strategies and portfolio of investment for increasing political commitment, resources and implementation of HIV, Tuberculosis, malaria, the neglected tropical diseases as well as the global fund to fight AIDS etc.
The new director who bagged his degree from the University of Nsukka, and MSc in Public Health from London school of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in United Kingdom, had in the course of his career, worked 10 years at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and malaria.
He is known to have managed the investment that successfully peaked the innovation of delivery of HIV service in Africa and Asia.
Obinna posted: “Friends and colleagues, I’m thrilled to share that I will be joining Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as their new deputy director, infectious disease advocacy, based in Seattle, Washington.
“In this new role, I will be leading the advancement of the foundation’s HIV, TB, malaria and NTD advocacy strategies in partnership with the program and communications team.
“I an grateful for the incredible experience and strong friendships from my time at the Global Fund and the conference bestowed on me by leadership at the Gates Foundation. I believe there is no better transition to make at this time than to a family working hard together to create a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.”
