In recognition and solidarity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday conferred the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates.
The investiture took place during Gates’ official visit to Nigeria and acknowledged his long-standing contributions to the nation through health, education, and poverty alleviation programs.
Speaking at the event, President Tinubu praised the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for its unwavering support in improving Nigeria’s public health and human development sectors.
In a deeply moving gesture, Gates dedicated the CFR award to Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, a polio survivor and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
Gufwan, who lost the use of his legs at the age of five due to polio, has been widely celebrated for empowering persons with disabilities through his organization, Wheelchairs for Nigeria.
“It’s always an honor to partner with incredible Nigerian healthcare workers, midwives, researchers, innovators, and changemakers—like the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and Wheelchairs for Nigeria’s Chief Ayuba Gufwan, a polio survivor who has spent his life raising awareness, delivering mobility aids, and championing vaccines,” Gates said.
President Tinubu also met with Dr. Ayuba Gufwan at the event, underscoring his administration’s support for inclusive development and the fight against polio.
“People like him make me hopeful that, despite the odds and obstacles, we can #EndPolio for good,” Gates stated, applauding Gufwan’s grassroots advocacy and impact.
Through Wheelchairs for Nigeria, Gufwan has provided thousands of hand-powered tricycles to people with mobility challenges, restoring dignity and independence to their lives.
“His story is not just one of survival, but of leadership and transformation,” Gates added, describing Gufwan as “a symbol of resilience and hope.”
The honour and dedication signified a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward disability inclusion and celebrated the efforts of individuals working for underserved communities.
“This recognition is bigger than me—it is a message that disability is not inability,” Gufwan said during a brief interaction following Gates’ dedication.
