Emir Sanusi urges world leaders to end preventable child mortality
His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, has urged world leaders to take urgent and coordinated action to end the preventable deaths of five million children each year.
Speaking at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s 2025 Goalkeepers event, the Emir delivered a powerful address highlighting the moral and humanitarian imperative to address child mortality globally.
He emphasized that the ongoing loss of young lives due to hunger, malnutrition, and inadequate access to basic healthcare is a tragedy that must no longer be accepted. Sanusi called on high-income nations to strengthen their support for low- and middle-income countries in advancing child survival and promoting equity in global health systems.
“Human life is sacred,” Sanusi declared. “The Quran teaches that whoever saves a life is as if he saved all of humanity. This principle must guide our collective actions—especially when it comes to children, who are the most vulnerable.”
The Emir underscored the shared responsibility of all leaders—regardless of nationality, culture, or faith—to protect children’s lives. He noted that while the global community has the means to prevent these deaths, systemic inequality continues to deprive millions of children of their right to life and health.
His remarks come amid mounting concerns about setbacks in global development caused by conflict, economic instability, and climate-related crises.
Concluding his speech, Sanusi issued a powerful call to action: “We must ensure that no child dies simply because of where they are born. Ending these deaths is not an act of charity—it is a matter of justice.”
The Goalkeepers event, hosted annually by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, brings together international leaders, advocates, and policymakers to track and accelerate progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
