Group urges new humanitarian minister to adopt people-friendly policies

Atum Humanitarian and Charitable Initiative has implored the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, to initiate people-friendly policies to address poverty.

The Executive Chairman, Ismaila Yusuf Atus, in a statement on Wednesday, said millions of Nigerians are currently grappling with poverty and other health issues that need to be addressed.

Atus said the foundation would be willing to partner with the ministry to design a poverty-alleviating scheme to assist Nigerians.

He said, “I congratulate the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. As a politician, we urge him to be liberal. The post he occupies today is meant for poor people.

“So, we urge him to feed a lot of Nigerians at this critical time when people are suffering. We encourage him to search for funds all over the world to assist the masses.

“He should not act as if he is the minister and the post is for a big man.

“This is a post for the poor, and he should work with all the NGOs that are putting effort into assisting humanity in this country. We urge him to work with us as we are going to work with him tirelessly.”

The foundation had earlier introduced a policy to raise N500 million to assist 2 million indigent Nigerians due to the economic hardship.

It also called on well-meaning Nigerians to engage in humanitarian aid, adding that it was unwise for people with financial means to stash money in foreign accounts while millions of Nigerians wallow in abject poverty.

Atus, who is also the Executive Chairman of Woskybet, said: “We are going to raise N500 million to assist 2 million Nigerians. The hunger is too much. Foodstuff is beyond the reach of the ordinary man. I urge those with the wherewithal to help.

“Apart from that, I am calling on the government to reduce the hardship. The government is trying, but it is not enough, because millions of Nigerians are suffering.

“This is the time the people need the government. Politicians should join the bandwagon to assist the masses. They cannot continue to stash their money abroad.”