Former Vice President and Presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku is disturbed by what he perceives as dwindling economic fortunes of the country and poverty and itemised measures he said will check poverty.
According to Atiku, the solution to poverty in the country has gone beyond the level of empty declarations to laying out implementable policies.
The World Bank recently released its annual report on poverty where the World body identified Nigeria as one of the least successful countries not addressing poverty alleviation since the introduction or establishment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 14 years ago.
The report by the World Bank stated that ‘’Almost three fifth of the Worlds extreme poor are concentrated in just five countries: Bangladesh, China , the DR Congo, India and Nigeria.”
Looking at the issue, especially claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government that the country has recorded some economic gains and is tackling poverty, Atiku wants Nigerians ‘’to ask our leaders and ourselves how can Nigeria grow and the country continue to decline. Nigeria’s unemployment rate has continued to rise, currently estimated at a staggering 27 per cent, with youth unemployment hovering around 55 per cent. There is much that we can do to alleviate the stresses caused by population growth and unemployment.’’
The former Vice President said three factors should be of major concern. ‘’First, the core of the issue begins with our education system, which has struggled to provide a quality education that would prepare our youth for the needs of our economy.
‘’ Secondly, there has not been enough emphasis on infrastructural projects that could employ both skilled and unskilled labour, as well as rejuvenate local economies. Thirdly, a coordinated effort by the government and the private sector to develop long-term projects, where labourers could be retrained to the needs of the project, would greatly impact the quality of life for Nigerians and grow the country’s human capital.”
Atiku stated that more than any other time in its history, ‘’Nigeria needs inspiration, hope and a change in consciousness that emphasizes hard work, accountability, trust and a long-term vision for the future. It is absolutely vital that this change be instituted at the top, whereby our leadership becomes the example that can be emulated nationwide.
‘’Indeed, by focusing on poverty reduction Nigeria can also confront the momentum for terrorism and criminality. Disenfranchised youth and marginalized populations are prime targets for recruitment into terrorist activity.
If Nigeria can manage to reincorporate these populations through education, job training and the guarantee of a liveable income, we will see fewer people looking to criminality for a meal and a sense of security. In turn, the overall security of the nation will improve.’’
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