Poverty - News Agency Of Nigeria

Ismail Abdulaziz
Jul, Fri, 2025

Onaiyekan urges leaders to tackle hunger, poverty

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By Peter Okolie

Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has charged the nation’s leaders to tackle hunger and poverty, saying that economic statistics alone do not reflect the harsh reality faced by many Nigerians.

Onaiyekan said this in a homily at Rev. Fr. Maurice Emelu’s 20th priestly ordination and 50th birthday celebration at the Church of Immaculate Conception, Umuchima in Ideato South Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo.

He said that “15 to 20 years ago, Nigeria was poor but not hungry.

“Today, unfortunately, Nigerians are hungry,” the cleric said.

He said that rather than focus on the big statistics that Nigeria economy was doing well, “leaders should focus on alleviating hunger and poverty in the land”.

Onaiyekan said: “This promise of a better future and, therefore, we should accept the difficulties around us is not acceptable.

“Our politicians are talking of renewed hope, with little or nothing to sustain such hope, which for many has turned into hopelessness.

“There is a growing burden of poverty in our nation, a tragic irony in a nation richly blessed by God.

“President Bola Tinubu should not just listen to his advisers, but should come down and eat with the poor to feel their pains,” he said.

Onaiyekan, who affirmed the Church’s commitment to social welfare through education and healthcare, advocated renewed collaboration between the church and government to improve public services for all.

He commended Emelu’s initiative to feed over 1,000 families, calling it an exemplary act.

He urged Nigerians, at home and abroad, to combat the nation’s multidimensional poverty with similar gesture.

In a speech, the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 General Elections, Mr Peter Obi, said that Nigeria was currently passing through a difficult period.

Obi, who joined other dignitaries to serve food to the guests present, expressed a desire for a Nigeria where collective wellbeing was prioritised.

“This is the way we want our society to be, a society where people care for the needy.

“We want more of Fr. Maurice and individuals who care for the poor,” he said.

Also, Sen. Osita Izunaso, representing Imo West (Orlu) Senatorial District, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Emelu.

Izunaso specifically commended Emelu for his profound compassion and efforts in “bringing home what God has blessed him with”.

A federal lawmaker, Rep. Uchenna Okonkwo, representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, also lauded Emelu’s initiative, praising his selfless act of honouring the needy.

Okonkwo, who emphasised its timely significance amidst the nation’s current economic challenges, said that “Emelu’s motif of dedication, grace, and philanthropic assistance to the less privileged should be emulated”.

Responding, Emelu, a Professor of Communication and Digital Media and founder of the U.S.-based non-governmental organisation, Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc., said the occasion concluded a four-day charity programme.

He described the charitable endeavour as “an act of faith, a manifestation of the Jubilee of Hope, and a testament to what God has placed in my heart.”

“Four years ago, during a deep moment of prayer, the Lord put it in my heart to treat the poorest of the poor in our midst like kings and queens,” Emelu said.

He said that beneficiaries, carefully selected from the five South-East states after an eight-month research period, involving village leaders, journalists, and a guiding priest, were transported in air-conditioned buses and later made to walk on red carpet.

He said he had a divine instruction to eat on the same table with the beneficiaries and personally serve them to underscore the humility and reverence at the core of the initiative.

Emelu disclosed a comprehensive plan to establish a skill acquisition center in Umuchima Community to train and educate youths and women in various skills, fostering self-reliance and long-term economic empowerment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries were given 1,000 bags of 50kg rice and cash donations for condiments, designed to sustain them for one month.

Emelu also offered a full scholarship to Miss Uchechi Akuzie, covering her university education, “in a significant symbolic gesture of future empowerment”.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Tina Muoghalu, from Isiokpo in Ideato North LGA of the state, thanked Emelu, saying that the gesture had encouraged her with hope for the future.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sam Oditah

Hunger, poverty fuelling national security threats – CDS

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jun, Mon, 2025

Defence/Security

Hunger, poverty fuelling national security threats – CDS

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says hunger and poverty are no longer mere social challenges but have become national security threats.

Musa stated this at the opening of the 14th National Security Seminar organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC), on Monday in Abuja.

The seminar with the theme: “Combating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria,” was organised in collaboration with Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and National Defence College (NDC).

The CDS, represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Adm, Ibrahim Shetimma, called for a unified national approach to combating hunger and poverty, stressing their growing impact on Nigeria’s internal security.

He commended the organisers for creating a strategic platform for critical dialogue on Nigeria’s security and developmental challenges.

“Insecurity today is not only defined by weapons but also by economic deprivation, food insecurity, and social dislocation.

“Hunger and poverty are no longer mere social challenges – they have become national security threats.

“The North Central region, particularly Benue once considered Nigeria’s food basket, is a clear example of how banditry, displacement, and farmer-herder conflicts have devastated agricultural productivity,’’ he said.

Musa noted that the disruption of farming communities and illegal occupation of farmlands contributed to food inflation, displacement, and mass migration, thereby destabilising both the economy and national cohesion.

He called on communities to deny criminals and terrorists sanctuary by supporting intelligence gathering, timely reporting and community vigilance.

The CDS called for urgent investment in grassroots agricultural development, and urged government and stakeholders to reposition farming as a noble and rewarding profession by enhancing access to credit, infrastructure, and market linkages.

“With the migration of rural youth to urban centres, agricultural productivity is declining.

“We must make farming attractive again—not as a last resort, but as a national duty and a prestigious calling,’’ he added.

Musa also praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on financial autonomy for local governments, which he described as vital for responsive and community-driven development.

“I assure you, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with other security agencies and with the support of the people, remain resolute in overcoming all security threats.

“We must build a Nigeria where every citizen can live in peace, engage in productive livelihood, and enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

In his remarks, President of AANDEC, Retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi, underscored the need for sustained investment in education, economic empowerment and social inclusion as critical non-kinetic responses to Nigeria’s deepening insecurity.

Abdullahi said that hunger and poverty were not just humanitarian crises but strategic threats to national stability.

He quoted the timeless wisdom that says “the children of the poor you fail to train will never let your children have peace,” stressing that neglecting the socio-economic wellbeing of the population creates fertile ground for instability and extremism.

“When millions suffer from hunger and poverty, they become vulnerable to exploitation by those with ill intentions.

“We must therefore invest in our people— especially in education, livelihoods, and skills development.

“Economic initiatives that foster inclusion and bring communities together can be effective tools for peacebuilding. They create an atmosphere of stability and discourage violence,” he said.

The AANDEC president praised the members of the association – retired military officers and senior public servants as patriots committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s peace and unity beyond the battlefield.

He advocated for the creation of a dedicated vocational and leadership development centre for widows and children of fallen heroes, describing it as a necessary step in empowering vulnerable populations and promoting national healing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Augusta Uchediunor / Isaac Ukpoju

Advocate urges Africans to focus attention on addressing poverty, underdevelopment

Philip Daniel Yatai
Feb, Tue, 2025

Entertainment

Advocate urges Africans to focus attention on addressing poverty, underdevelopment

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By Abiemwense Moru

Founder of Loretta Health Initiative, an NGO, Dr Loretta Ogboro-Okor, has called on Africans to shift their attention from celebrity fashion to addressing issues of poverty, conflict and underdeveloped infrastructure.

Ogboro-Okor, made the call in Abuja while reacting to the global debates surrounding Kanye West’s wife, Bianca Censori controversial appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Censori attended the grammy’s red carpet in a transparent nearly naked dress, igniting varied reactions from some Africans who celebrated it while others described it as “shameful”.

Ogboro-Okor, an aspirant in the 2024 Edo governorship election, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that celebrity fashion was simply a “distraction” from the real issues.

“My concern is not the spectacle itself, but how it overshadows the urgent issues Africa is grappling with.

“Our focus had remained on a celebrity moment. This should be the least of our concerns when there is war in Congo, economic distress in other African countries with millions suffering from poverty and conflict.

“The ongoing conflict in Congo, where millions have been displaced was in contrast with the obsession over celebrity fashion and material wealth.

“Africa should not be consumed by the spectacle of global celebrity culture, which often distracts us from addressing the continent’s most urgent challenges,” she said.

She stressed the need for a collective focus on tackling systemic problems such as poverty, conflict, underdeveloped infrastructure and other pressing issues facing the continent.

Ogboro-Okor pointed out the disconnection between the celebrity culture that dominated the online space and the severe crises affecting millions across the continent.

She lamented the growing competition for luxury and a lifestyle that many could not afford, while millions lack access to basic necessities.

According to her, this fixation with fleeting trends highlights Africa’s misdirected priorities.

“No one will love us more than we love ourselves as Africans,” she said, urging fellow Africans to focus on family, community, and nation-building rather than materialism or fame.

“While the continent is rich in resources, it continues to be exploited and distracted by external validation. Africa must look inward to achieve real progress.

“It is time for Africans to take control of their future and focus on self-sufficiency, building stronger communities, and addressing systemic issues that hinder development.”

She urged Africa to stop being passive observers of its own destiny and start prioritising what truly matters.

She said, “the time for meaningful change is now. We must act collectively to transform Africa’s future”. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

How learning poverty can be eradicated in Oyo State- Stakeholders

Ismail Abdulaziz
Dec, Thu, 2024

Features

How learning poverty can be eradicated in Oyo State- Stakeholders

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A News Analysis by Ibukun Emiola, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Oyinkansola Ademola and OreOluwami Ajisafe are 11-year-old female Junior Secondary School (JSS) students who have a formal education in Ibadan, Oyo State.

While Oyinkansola attends a public school in a semi-urban area, OreOluwami attends a private school in an urban area and both aspire to be medical doctors in the future, yet their learning experiences are not the same.

Oyinkansola, during a class exercise given by her teacher on future ambition and why she chose that career, could barely write a sentence legibly and intelligibly.

On the other hand, OreOluwami attempted the same exercise brilliantly, specifying her choice specialty, Pediatrics.

This scenario above buttresses learning poverty which Gender Responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP) could address if well implemented in the state according to experts.

Although poor learning is not the only factor that contributes to learning poverty, it is one of the key elements.

In Nigeria, 70 per cent of children in their 10th year cannot read a simple sentence according to UNICEF but findings on the field in Oyo State revealed that this is not only limited to reading but writing as well.

Experts have argued there should be no disparities in the quality of education every child receives, observing that there should be equal access to quality education for all, regardless of location, status, and ethnicity of any child which can be achieved if the Gender Responsive Education Sector Plan (GRESP) is operational.

An assessment to determine the Learning Poverty rate (LP) was carried out among 185 students from the JSS arm of two schools in Ibadan; 102 students from a public school and 83 students from a private school located in the interior of Yemetu and Total Garden communities in Ibadan participated respectively.

Findings indicate a high LP rate in the public school assessed put at 60 per cent, as opposed to a 10 per cent LP rate in the private school assessed.

In the public school where the exercise was done, students in JSS 3 have the highest LP rate, more than 50 per cent of those assessed could not write a sentence intelligibly.

Also, a survey was conducted on the free education policy of the Oyo State Government and it shows that 64.52 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree with the policy, describing it as good.

However, they called for the recruitment of more qualified teachers and effective monitoring as well as infrastructure and learning facilities for a robust learning outcome.

Respondents believed in equal access to quality education for both males and females, though they knew nothing about the GRESP framework.

Miss Tamilore Bode-Are, a graduate who had her teaching practice in Oyo State shared her experience, noting that free education helps to give access to every child regardless of status, ethnicity, and location.

She advocated for a good learning environment, training, and support for teachers, adding that parents should support their children and be involved in monitoring them to achieve quality education.

“There should be training for teachers from time to time to develop them intellectually and help them pass the right knowledge to students,’’ she said.

The Registrar of Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof. Olusegun Ajiboye, said that the state “is currently implementing some gender-sensitive projects under the World Bank/Federal Ministry of Education to increase female participation in education.

“More sustainable approaches are required to engender balance between male and female participation in education in the state.

“Education is capital intensive. Government alone cannot carry the burden. We need private participation to sustain the current achievements in Oyo State. More funding is required both from the government and private sector.

“Education infrastructure in the state needs to be revamped to meet the 21st century global standards.

“Teacher training and retraining is crucial for sustained achievements. This should also be backed up with teacher motivation and welfare.’’

Also, Dr Muyiwa Bamgbose, the Chief Executive Officer of the Education Advancement Centre who had served as a consultant to the Oyo State government in the recruitment of teachers and pioneered a school-on-air initiative just before the Covid-19 pandemic, said that a factor that could help “in the education of children is the parent involvement’’.

According to him, to eradicate learning poverty, there must be more qualified teachers and teacher commitment or motivation must be ensured.

“But we see that we don’t have enough teachers. We don’t have enough to spread around all the schools, especially the schools in the rural areas, in the suburban, you know, so those places are underserved.

“Also, parent involvement is really lacking. One of the problems with parent involvement is the fact that the government is stopping people from paying. They are making politics out of parents paying for education.

“This free education policy is like a two-edged sword. It has its own negative repercussions on the attitude of parents and the outcome of learning,’’ Bamgbose said.

With parents withdrawing their wards from private schools to public schools due to the prevailing economic situation, Dr Kayode Adeyemi, the National Secretary, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, said “there is a need to balance the fact that parents resort to public schools and the lack of enough capacity to absorb the surge’’.

Adeyemi noted that in public schools, students could be up to 70 in a class and oftentimes, many of them might sit under the trees due to infrastructural decay.

“Hence the need for the government to intervene and help in building and sustaining the capacity of private schools before the education sector is completely stuck,’’ Adeyemi said.

In an interview with the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, he reiterated the commitment of the state government on the platform of its Sustainable Development Agenda, Omituntun 2.0, adding that the bedrock of any development is education.

“So, therefore, education plays a strategic and pivotal role in the administration of Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State,” Adelabu said.

Adelabu said that in the area of infrastructure, the administration has been doing its best by building model schools and reducing the population in each school.

“What we are doing is splitting to give the head of the school, the principal, a manageable number of students. We are also recruiting into our basic education as well as our secondary school.

“We are trying as much as possible to remove favouritism and nepotism in our method of recruitment and we are enforcing this on our recruitment policy,” Adelabu said.

Stakeholders, nonetheless, believe that making GRESP operational would help to improve the quality of education and reduce learning poverty in the state.(NANFeatures)(www.nannews.ng)

**If used, please, credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)