The federal, state, and local governments have been called upon to demonstrate positive political will, determination, and resilience to be able to reduce the scourge of poverty in the country.
The Kogi State social security stakeholders made the call during a community outreach held at Osara in Adavi Local Government of Kogi to mark the 2025 International Poverty Eradication Day.
The social security stakeholders include the Chairman of Adavi Local Government Area, the State Coordinator of the Kogi State Cash Transfer Office, Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the State Coordinator for the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission, and the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).
Other participants at the event were community leaders, youth groups and their leaders, women groups and their leaders, persons with disabilities, aged women and men, widows, artisans, religious leaders, vigilante groups, hunters, and others.
The stakeholders came to an agreement after an interactive session that poverty can only be eradicated through collective efforts by stakeholders demonstrating political will, determination, and resilience.
Mrs Halima Oyiza Sadiq, who coordinated the community outreach, noted that the International Day for Poverty Eradication 2025 was used to sensitise the public in nine communities across the three senatorial districts in Kogi State.
She said, “We came under the Act Naija Project, supported by a consortium including ANEEJ and the EU, to sensitise citizens by bringing them knowledge of the social protection system at their disposal.
“This year’s event will be used to inform and engage community members on the theme: Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families.
“The theme focuses on protecting families from stigmatisation and control by social and institutional systems, advocating for services that are built on respect, trust, and a collaborative approach with those experiencing poverty.
“Our focus as an organisation is geared towards poverty eradication and also to help the vulnerable population, such as the aged, persons with disabilities, women, children, and others.”
