Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammed Pate voluntarily resigned his appointed from President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet to take up appointment with a university’s institute in the United States of America.
While some are beginning to see the resignation as a pointer that the ex-minister had lost hope in the country in the face of the brain drain challenge, President Goodluck Jonathan has said it shows that his cabinet is made of professionals.
Dr. Pate, in the letter of resignation, said he was leaving the cabinet to take up the position of Professor in the Duke University’s Global Health Institute, USA — a position that would afford him the capacity to participate in a university-wide Africa initiative.
As a professor with the institute, he would also serve as Senior Adviser to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation based in Washington DC. Dated July 22 and addressed to the president, the letter was read at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting.
Pate offered to serve the country 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.
“As we have discussed, 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 fulfillment 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 wrote in the letter.
Confirming the resignation, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said the president had accepted the letter, adding that an elated Jonathan described it as a confirmation that he has a star-studded cabinet which was attracting global attention. According to Abati, the president saw the appointment of Pate as an advantage for his administration and for Nigeria.
He said Pate brought integrity and competence into the cabinet and his duties as Chief Executive of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Recalling that Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was one of those shortlisted for the position of the World Bank’s President last year, he added: “The president congratulated the minister and accepted his offer to continue to serve on a part-time basis as honorary adviser.
“The minister’s new commitment is seen by the president and his cabinet as good news. It is a further proof that this cabinet is full of stars. The cabinet is full of very distinguished men and women, people with not only national but also international recognition.
“The president congratulated the minister and accepted his offer to continue to serve on a part-time basis as honorary adviser. It is a positive development that we have people who are recognised globally. Pate has served this country for five years, first as Chief Executive of NHPDH and later Minister of State, Health. His work is appreciated worldwide. His appointment is a plus for the administration and the country.”
The ex-minister of state for health, appointed 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 a member of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Vaccination and Humanitarian Emergencies at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva.