The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a new initiative for Nigeria’s Executive Governors “challenging them to deliver a dramatic improvement in polio and routine immunization by the end of 2012.” The program “will recognize those Executive Governors whose states pass a pre-defined threshold to improve routine immunization coverage and end polio. The states that meet the threshold criteria will be awarded a $500,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support their top health priorities.” The award will support winning governors’ priority initiatives in public health, such as malaria and tuberculosis, improving immunization, HIV prevention and treatment, or safe drinking water and hygiene promotion. In addition to the grant, “those governors who achieve the goals will receive special recognition from Mr. Gates for their contribution to the elimination of polio. Winning governors will be highlighted in foundation communications, such as Mr. Gates’ annual letter or the foundation’s annual report, social media materials and Mr. Gates’ public engagements globally.” In addition, “if Governors choose, they also may contribute $250,000 to their chosen health project and the foundation will match that contribution, meaning a potential total $1 million towards improving health in their state.”

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/press-releases/Pages/governors-immunization-leadership-challenge-111004.aspx