Odigie-Oyegun laments pervasive poverty amid vast resources
25 October 2024 |
4:07 am
Former governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday, decried Nigeria’s persistent poverty rates amid vast natural resources. He underscored the need for robust policies and effective governance to unlock the enormous resources for economic growth and poverty alleviation.
Former governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday, decried Nigeria’s persistent poverty rates amid vast natural resources. He underscored the need for robust policies and effective governance to unlock the enormous resources for economic growth and poverty alleviation.
Odigie-Oyegun spoke in Abuja, at the 31st Annual Development Forum, with the theme “Paradox of Poverty in a ‘Wealthy Nation’, Policy Issues & Perspectives,” organised by the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), a non-governmental organisation. He expressed hope that insights from the forum would contribute to addressing poverty.
The ex-governor said: “Poverty in several African countries has remained a puzzle for development practitioners, given the enormous natural resource endowment of the continent.
“Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, for instance, present clear examples of endemic poverty amid abundant natural resources. “Timber and metal mineral deposits in Congo are enormous, while Nigeria ranks high in petroleum production and export; yet their respective ranking in poverty index is abysmal.
“I believe that policy reforms are vital to address endemic poverty. However, while the poor await the fruits of policy interventions, they need to put food on their table, send their children to school and seek shelter over their heads.
“This is where urgent social protection interventions such as conditional fund transfers and food bank operations are imperative.” LAPO’s founder, Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, pointed out that addressing extreme poverty requires a mix of policy and economic reforms, effective social protection initiatives, and frameworks for the empowerment of the poor.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between government and non-governmental entities. Ehigiamusoe said: “The challenge of poverty is enormous. Extreme poverty can only be addressed by a combination of policy and economic reforms; effective social protection initiatives and frameworks for social and economic empowerment of the poor. Doing this will require the collective involvement of government and non-governmental entities.”
In his address, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who was represented by the Special Assistant on Cooperative & Farmers Welfare, Victor Oyegoke, underlined the need for agricultural innovation and infrastructure investment that could significantly boost productivity and sustainability.
Abdullahi stated that targeted resources and improved market access for smallholder farmers were crucial for economic growth. Chairman, Board of Directors at LAPO, Dr Osaren Emokpae, highlighted collective action in tackling poverty.
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