By Ihie Grace
The Former Governor of Anambra State and LP Presidential Candidate for 2023, Peter Obi, has urged the Nigerian Government at all levels to take urgent and positive actions on poverty eradication by investing in critical areas of development, health, education, and poverty alleviation.
Obi stated this via his official Twitter handle to commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
He wrote, “On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty as part of my mission in the New Nigeria.
“I respectfully urge our governments at all levels to swiftly implement reforms and invest in critical areas of development, including health and education, to uplift people out of poverty. This remains my mission in New Nigeria because it is achievable.
“Our beloved country, Nigeria, unfortunately, holds the unenviable title of ‘the poverty capital of the world.’ According to the World Poverty Clock, over 71 million Nigerians currently live in extreme poverty, with a total of 133 million people, or 63 percent of the population, classified as multidimensionally poor by the National Bureau of Statistics. No nation can progress when more than half of its population is mired in poverty.
“According to Oxfam, the wealthiest 0.003 percent of Nigerians, consisting of 6,355 individuals worth $5 million and above, possess 1.4 times more wealth than 107 million other Nigerians. This extreme poverty and income inequality pose a severe threat to our national prosperity, security, and development.
“Investing in small businesses throughout the country has been proven as the quickest means to alleviate poverty, as demonstrated by comparable economies like India, Bangladesh, and China.
“The United Nations reports that India successfully lifted approximately 415 million people out of poverty between 2000 and 2021 by reducing their global Multidimensional Poverty Index. Similarly, Bangladesh has lifted over 33 million people out of poverty in the same period, moving the country into the ranks of middle-income economies, with a projection to attain upper-middle-income status by 2041.
” I respectfully appeal to our governments at all levels to take immediate and positive steps to reform and invest in critical areas of development, health, education, and poverty alleviation. This remains my mission in New Nigeria because it is indeed possible.”