From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu has charged the country to confront poverty headlong rather than live in self denial.
Bagudu noted that Nigeria is not as rich as most people think, due to the high rate of poverty and unemployment in the country.
He spoke at the launch of Bold New Country Strategy Paper: ‘Citizens’ Action to End Poverty and Injustice 2024-2034,’ organised by ActionAid Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja.
According to him, there must be a collective will of the people to tackle the pandemic, warning that constant insult and anger would not solve the problem.
He said: “We are not where we want to be. Poverty is still a major challenge in our society. So, if we are not where we want to be, what are the choices we can make differently?
“We must confront our reality. We are not as rich as we think we are. It is a problem of cumulative years of under investment. We are doing something about it and everyone matters. If all we have is anger at each other, we will never solve any problem.
“We can localize the challenge. We can find out that rather than being presumptuous and judgmental, we can collaborate and understand and localize the challenge and where everyone can help in making it better.”
Also, ActionAid Nigeria Country Director, Andrew, Mamedu, said: “Ultimately, we are committed to, through our intervention lift five million Nigerians out of poverty especially those extremely marginalised and vulnerable Nigerians by end of 2034.”
He added: “We are prioritising the following: Priority 1: Secure, Resilient and Thriving Communities. Priority 2: Improved living standards: Thriving Communities.
“Priority 3: Good governance: Equitable access and Thriving Communities.”
The Keynote Speaker and Executive Director of African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Abuja, Otive Igbuzor, recommended that Nigeria should learn how to organise to change the society.
According to him, “Organising for change has its own strategies, tactics and dynamics. It does not come from a few workshops, few tweets and few demonstrations. It is not a dash.
“It is a marathon. The path to poverty eradication and social justice has been tortious and appears blocked by elite capture of the state.
“But there are possibilities with the level of knowledge and recognition of new ways of organising that have the potential to change things for better.
“As we launch the ActionAid Nigeria’s new Country Strategy Paper today, I urge all stakeholders to join hands in this historic and critical endeavour to change course and change the narratives.
“The task ahead is formidable but not insurmountable. If we face the challenges with catalytic partnership, collective action, unwavering commitment and social movement organising, we can make significant strides where poverty and injustice are relegated to history.”