Ayodele Sharon and Adebowale Elizabeth Precious
A university lecturer, Dr. Abdulkareem Jimoh Edun, has called for collaboration between the government and citizens to reduce poverty in Nigeria, stressing that both parties have important roles to play in addressing the country’s economic challenges.
Dr. Adulkareem made the call while speaking on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on October 17, where he described poverty as a complex problem that extends beyond economic hardship to include intellectual, educational, cultural and social deprivation.
He explained that efforts to tackle poverty should not be left to the government alone, noting that citizens must also make deliberate efforts to improve their circumstances, while the government provides the necessary support and opportunities.
According to him, citizens should work towards freeing themselves from poverty, while the government must assist and support them in achieving economic independence.
Dr. Adulkareem further identified corruption, mismanagement of public resources, lack of accountability and inadequate transparency in governance as major factors contributing to poverty in many countries.
He noted that countries with stronger systems of transparency and accountability tend to be better positioned to address poverty, while poor governance makes it more difficult to improve the living conditions of citizens.
Speaking on Nigeria’s situation, he attributed the country’s high poverty level partly to a lack of transparency and accountability in governance, adding that these challenges have made poverty reduction difficult.
He also argued that the term eradication of poverty may be difficult to achieve completely, suggesting that poverty reduction is a more realistic goal. He explained that when a country promotes peace, accountability and responsible governance, it can make significant progress in reducing poverty.
He therefore urged both government and citizens to work together towards creating a society where people have access to opportunities and the support needed to improve their standard of living.
Meanwhile, another speaker, Dr. Afeez Suleiman, described poverty as an important issue that deserves sustained attention from government leaders and the public.
Dr. Suleiman criticised the failure of leaders and governments to make adequate efforts to address the problem, stressing the need for continued public attention and action towards reducing poverty in Nigeria and across the world.
He maintained that poverty should remain a priority in national discussions, given its effects on individuals, communities and society at large.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty serves as a reminder of the need for collective action, responsible leadership and effective policies to improve living conditions and reduce poverty worldwide.