In celebration of the 2024 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the federal government has said it is implementing a broad range of programs aimed at improving the quality of life for all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja, at an event organised by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation collaboration and the Solidarity Empowerment Club, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Enitan, said poverty remains a global challenge addressed at both national and international levels, and as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the eradication of extreme poverty remains a top priority for Nigeria.
Enitan, who was represented by the Director Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement, Odii Ndubisi Barry, said that this year’s theme, “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment: Acting Together for a Just, Peaceful, and Inclusive Society,” aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to uplifting its citizens and combating poverty in all its forms, consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said: “In line with SDG Goal 1, officially worded as ‘No Poverty’, the Federal Government of Nigeria is implementing a broad range of programs aimed at improving the quality of life for all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.
“These initiatives include enhancing human capital development by expanding access to quality education and improving healthcare delivery, promoting entrepreneurship through microfinance schemes and skills development programs, strengthening the agricultural sector to bolster food security and creation of the institutional framework via the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, to mobilise efforts across the nation and internationally to reduce the high incidence of poverty in the country.
“Aside from engaging with varied stakeholders to pursue the appropriate policies, programmes and projects to bring succour to the people steadily and incrementally over time in the face of daunting systemic challenges, the Ministry also oversights the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), purposely reinvigorated by the Federal Government to more effectively deliver social safety nets intervention programmes to vulnerable populations.
“Also within the above mentioned institutional arrangement, the FG is promoting socio-economic inclusion for persons with disabilities through the creation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and addressing the needs of senior citizens through the establishment of the National Senior Citizens Centre.
“Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, several additional initiatives have been launched to further improve the socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians, including promotion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a more affordable alternative energy source for mass transportation and implementation of a consumer credit scheme and a student loan program to ease financial burdens.
“The federal government also launched support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and youth empowerment programs, particularly in the creative and ICT sectors. The federal government has strengthened efforts to combat insecurity and corruption, implementing initiatives to improve the ease of doing business and refine fiscal and monetary policies for greater efficiency, enhancements in tax administration to boost revenue for development projects, raising the national minimum wage to improve workers’ purchasing power.
“The federal government has engaged in promotion of vocational training and job creation opportunities, especially for unemployed youth, encouragement of local government autonomy to enhance governance at the grassroots level, mobilizing local communities for socio-economic development, with increased investment in key sectors such as oil and gas, telecommunications, road, housing, and energy to improve service delivery and lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
“As Nigeria continues its journey toward sustainable development, the federal government calls on stakeholders including international partners, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the private sector to collaborate in the fight against poverty in all its dimensions.”
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Delu Bulus Yakubu, pleaded with Nigerians to bear with the administration with regards to the hardship being experienced in the country.
Blueprint reports that highlight of the event was issuance of certificates to beneficiaries of the training program organized by the Solidarity Empowerment Club, after two weeks of intensive training on baking, painting, make-up, CCTV camera and solar panel installation.
The club trained 35 youth on baking, 16 people on painting, 25 on makeup and 26 on CCTV and solar panel installation.
One of the beneficiaries of the training on CCTV and solar panel installation, Oyewo Israel, said knowledge gained from it will help him become self-employed and not depend on the government.