The Minister of State for Health, Muhammed Pate, has resigned from office to take up the position of professor at the Duke University’s Global Health Institute, USA.
He would also serve as senior adviser to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation based in Washington DC and participate in a university-wide Africa initiative.
In his resignation letter dated July 22, which was addressed to the President, Pate said he would continue to serve on part-time basis as the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on polio eradication and the public-private coalition for saving one million lives initiative.
“I wish to offer the continuation of my service on part-time basis as chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication and the public-private coalition for Saving One Million Lives Initiative, if you agree, in fulfilment of my previous commitments to see to conclusion of these important national priorities. This may entail an honorary advisory role reporting directly to you progress at least on quarterly basis,” he stated.
Responding to his resignation, the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Reuben Abati, said President GoodluckJonathan is highly delighted that members of his cabinet were attracting global attention.
He said the President views the appointment as a plus for the administration and the country and commends the minister for the integrity and competence which he brought on board while carrying out his duties first as the chief executive of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and later as a minister.
Abati also noted that another cabinet member, the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was one of those shortlisted for the position of the World Bank’s President last year.
Pate who was appointed minister in July 2011, is an American Board-Certified medical doctor in both internal medicine and infectious diseases, with an MBA, Health Sector Concentration) from Duke University, USA.
He is also a member of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, SAGE, on Vaccination and Humanitarian Emergencies at the World Health Organisation, WHO, in Geneva.