SPEAKER, House of Representative, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday, stated that only government at all levels could not eradicate poverty in Nigeria, hence the reason for non-government organisations (NGOs) and other spirited bodies to help the country fight against it.
He made this appeal in Abuja, while delivering his speech at a sensitization programme tagged “Kick Out Poverty” to mark the United Nations International Day for the eradication of poverty.
Honourable Dogara said fight against poverty was the responsibility of all Nigerians, and must not be left for government alone to shoulder the responsibility, urging NGOs and philanthropists to work towards eliminating it before 2030 which was stated in the Sustainability Development Goals.
The speaker therefore proposed that the Federal Government should focus more on integrated human developments which include income generation, as well as human capital development and capacity building programmes for the poor.
He further urged the Federal Government to provide and create investment opportunity for the poor, less-privileged and vulnerable in the society.
Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, whose message was delivered by the Secretary Education of the FCT, Senator Isa Maina, said his administration through its social safety and economic empowerment programme consists of N. Power scheme, the school feeding programme and conditional cash transfer scheme were geared towards ending the circle of poverty in which many Nigerians have unfortunately found themselves.
The minister stated that the FCTA was keying into all these programmes while embarking on several others of its own.
“We are however all aware that the economic downturn has made it quite clear that government alone cannot meet all its obligations”, he explained.
In her welcome remarks, the Founder/CEO of Elizabeth Foundation, Mrs Angel Abosede Adelami, said the foundation was a registered charity which was committed to achieving drastic reduction in poverty index in Nigeria.
She therefore announced that the foundation would need a sum of N200 million to enable her undertake several projects and programmes across the country.
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