EASING THE DISEASE OF POVERTY IN NIGERIA
BY
RAHEEM, SHEFIU
CENTRE FOR
ENTREPRENUERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, CE D,
YABA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY, YABA, LAGOS.
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the issue of poverty in Nigeria,
its causes, previous attempts made by past and present administrations aimed at
taming the monster coupled with the way forward for the country. ). Poverty itself is as old as the whole world. One
of the Holy Scriptures even stated that the poor shall never seize in your
midst.
Poverty is a devil
it stirs a lot of misgiving. This is because it has a very devastating
influence on its victims. It reduces the social and psychological prestige of
its victims. Poverty is a condition of being poor. The quest to eradicate poverty has been identified
as the most critical challenge facing development in the world today. Women and
children are disproportionately affected by poverty.
Poverty has been a serious challenge to
governments in Nigeria. Its effect, which
includes
lack and deprivation in the basic necessities of life, is worrisome. Poverty
humiliates
and
dehumanizes its victim . Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation. It is also
one of the poorest countries in the world. Rapid progress in reducing poverty
in Nigeria is dependent upon improved access to basic services, particularly
health and education. If Nigeria fails to reduce poverty quickly enough, it is
unlikely that the Millennium Development Goals will be achieved in Africa or
globally.
The
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are targeted at eradicating extreme hunger
and poverty in the 189 member countries of the United Nations (UN). Nigeria as
a member of the United Nation keyed into the implementation of the framework of
the goals by formulating the National Economic Empowerment and Development
Strategy (NEEDS), NEEDS as a policy is targeted at eradicating poverty and bringing
about sustainable development. This is done through the establishment of
Agencies like the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP). However, the
scourge of poverty is till been felt by the majority of the citizens of the
country who do not have access to primary health care, water and food.
Unemployment,
corruption, non-diversification of the economy, income inequality, laziness,
and a poor education system can be considered to be some of the key factors
contributing to poverty in Nigeria.
Poverty prevention is more dependent on
education than on any other factor, as is escape from poverty. Education
is the primary means by which people can lift themselves out of poverty, yet
the amount spent on education targeting low-income children falls far short of
the need.
KEYWORDS: Poverty and
it’s causes; Alleviation programmes; Job Creation and Economic
empowerment
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