An X user has called out Senator Shehu Sani for commending American philanthropist Bill Gates and supporting the national honour recently conferred on him by Tinubu in Lagos.
Responding to the former senator’s post celebrating Gates’ decades-long investment in Nigeria’s health and development sectors, X user @trigottista, identified as Harry Da Trigot, questioned the praise by reminding Sani of a past remark.
“So you are happy to give honor to a prophet of pandemic?” Harry wrote, attaching a tweet dated February 21, 2022, in which Shehu Sani had previously described Bill Gates as “the ‘Prophet’ of Pandemic.”
The resurfaced tweet has since stirred conversation, especially among users who remain skeptical about Gates’ influence during the COVID-19 era and his vocal advocacy for vaccines in Africa.
Shehu Sani, in his original post on June 3, had said Gates’ commitment to Nigeria stood out despite global skepticism about the country’s reputation.
“When many bad things are said about our country, yet Bill Gates believes in us and voluntarily spends his wealth to improve the lives of our people in both the North and South of the country,” he wrote.
“He deserves the National honours conferred on him for being a good friend to this country.”
Gates received the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) from Tinubu during his visit to Nigeria this week. His foundation has supported several programs, especially in health and agriculture, across Nigeria.
But the honour has not gone unchallenged, with critics raising concerns over Gates’ global role during the pandemic and the wider implications of foreign philanthropy in domestic health policies.
