Economic Issues
Poverty in Nigeria: A Call for Action -By Ichigboja Ojochona Dorcas
Focusing on equitable development across regions to reduce disparities and address underlying factors contributing to poverty, such as ethnic tensions and marginalization.
Poverty typically refers to the state of lacking material possessions or financial resources to meet basic human needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare. It can also encompass broader aspects like lack of access to education, employment opportunities, and social support systems, leading to deprivation and marginalization.Poverty is a major issue in Nigeria affecting millions of citizens and is depreciating the country’s development, the problem became complex with multiple causes. The poverty can lured a lot of people into social vices such as hooliganism, cultism, drugs, cocaine, and other toxic substances to reduce tension that affects their health. No human being can accommodate high level of hunger.
Addressing poverty in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach involving government policies, social programs, and economic initiatives. Some strategies include:
Education: Investing in education to improve literacy rates and provide skills training for employability.
Job Creation: Implementing policies to promote entrepreneurship, attract investments, and stimulate job growth in various sectors.
Social Safety Nets: Establishing social welfare programs to provide assistance to the most vulnerable populations, such as cash transfer programs and subsidized healthcare.
Infrastructure Development: Investing in infrastructure projects to improve access to basic services like water, electricity, and transportation, which can enhance economic opportunities and living standards.
Agricultural Development: Supporting small holder farmers through access to credit, improved technology, and market linkages to boost agricultural productivity and reduce food insecurity.
Good Governance: Combating corruption, promoting transparency, and ensuring effective governance to optimize resource allocation and prevent funds from being diverted away from poverty alleviation efforts.
Healthcare Access: Improving access to healthcare services and implementing programs to address common health challenges, thereby reducing medical expenses and improving productivity.
Gender Equality: Promoting gender equality and empowering women through education, economic opportunities, and access to healthcare, as women often bear the brunt of poverty.
Regional Development: Focusing on equitable development across regions to reduce disparities and address underlying factors contributing to poverty, such as ethnic tensions and marginalization.
Community Empowerment: Encouraging community-based initiatives and participatory approaches to development, leveraging local knowledge and resources to address poverty effectively.
Combining these strategies with political will and international cooperation can make significant strides in alleviating poverty globally.
Therefore, I urges the Food Agricultural organization under united Nation to look into this pressing issue bitting the citizens in Nigeria and globe.
Ichigboja Ojochona Dorcas writes from Mass Communication Department
Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic and can be reached Via Gmail Ichigboja@gmail.com
