It is crystal clear even to the blind that Nigeria is a country blessed with varieties of mineral resources that are of economic importance. These resources are not limited to Agricultural products, crude oil, zinc, iron ore, gold, uranium, coal and a lot more. The question that comes to the mind of thoughtful Nigerians is; why are the greater percentage of our citizens still struggling to have a single meal let alone square meals? The quest to finding the answer to this question gets me thinking and in line with the society and organization I belong to poised me towards writing to commemorate this year International Day for the Eradication of Hunger through the platform of ANCHOR INITIATIVE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT(AICD) A SUBSIDIARY OF ACTION NETWORK CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (ANCCD)

In simple terms, poverty is not having enough money or access to resources to enjoy a decent standard of living; be that the lack of access to healthcare, education or water, and sanitation facilities, etc. According to Webster’s Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus, “Poverty is the state of being poor or scarcity”. While Hunger, “is the feeling of weakness or emptiness from a need for food; a strong desire for food”. These two terms have become the most pronounced words in the mouth of many Nigerians who have none in the midst of plenty. Hunger is a function of poverty; H=f(P)

17th October is set aside as the day to commemorate how the world can achieve greater participation by enabling people from all walks of life to come together to respect the human right and dignity of people living in poverty. Through the hashtag “International Day for the Eradication of Poverty”

Theme: “Acting together to empower children, their families and communities to end poverty”

Poverty affects all but there are the most vulnerable group of people who bears the scourge of poverty more than others. These groups are children and lactating mothers; It is enshrined in the United Nations charter of equity that the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development. There are no apologies or excuses by parents in procreating and bring up children they cannot adequately carter for as in the aspect of physiological needs, shelter, and security of their lives. When children poverty is recognized as the denial of children’s human rights then, people in positions of power are legally bound to promote, protect and fulfill children’s rights.

Now Nigeria’s poverty in context has grown from bad to worst since Nigeria has overtaken India and China as the world poverty head quota. The World Poverty Clock shows Nigeria has overtaken India as the country with the most extreme poor people in the world. India has a population seven times larger than Nigeria’s. The report state that 86.9 million Nigerians now are living in extreme poverty represents nearly 50% of its estimated 180 million population this means that out of every two Nigerian, one is in extreme poverty. This report should be food for thought for every well-meaning Nigerians will regurgitate upon. 

Causes of poverty

 Before exploring the causes of poverty in Nigeria, I will like to shift from the conventional cum popular types of poverty and add EMOTIONAL POVERTY.

This type of poverty “emotional poverty” does not mean lack of money but it entails a lack of human feelings, such as happiness, love, fear from taken human lives, or selflessness and fear from the accumulation of illicit wealth for your children and generations unborn you are poor. Emotional poverty has been the main factor affecting the economic growth of our dear country Nigeria because men and women saddled with the responsibility of pioneering the affairs of the nation have allowed their consciences to rotten.

1. Government Corruption

This is not time to blame the government because every citizen of a country gets the type of government they deserved “by their fruit we shall know them”. The gullibility of Nigerian citizens has given clue to the politicians on how to deal decisively to their constituents. It is because of the mediocrity of Nigerians that have allowed government officials to engage in these wicked acts of corruption, the poor and underserved populations within Nigeria are inevitably hurt. The most painful path of the whole scenario is that the poor will come up with justifiable analyses of why the corrupt government official should be let go. The poor are comfortable with their poverty. Therefore, Government corruption is a function of the poor mindset of poor citizens.

2. Lack of Economic Infrastructure

The provision of, and availability of motorable roads, electricity, modern machines for industrial fabrications, modern equipment for farming, access to affordable and regular internet etc are the panacea to eradicating poverty. But how shall these things be when the government is still allocating money to buy generators and fuel to power their offices. It will shock you if you find out that the Nigerian government allocated money for diesel to power the generator in Aso-Rock Villa. So, making electricity uninterrupted is taken off fleshy cooked meat from German Dog “evil in the land is a profitable venture to a native doctor.”

3.  Inappropriate Educational System

This is the major cause of poverty in Nigeria. What is drawing of a grasshopper and labeling is still doing in our agricultural curriculum? Can drawing of animals lead to the increase of production of high yielding species? What are the reasons why the geography teacher will start mentioning types of rock and even draw them without taking the student to the field to see these things with their eyes? What is the accountant, economics, and business administration doing for four years in the classroom with ever balancing a ledger with the financial institutions? Even in most of the engineering and professional courses, the situations are the same. Our educational policymakers have done a disservice to our citizens. The alienation of education from real-life situations causes more poverty than corrupt politicians.

In conclusion, the journey to the eradication of poverty and lifting 86.9 million Nigerian citizens who are suffering in extreme poverty is a task that needs a holistic approach both from government, cooperate bodies and civil society organizations. Everybody must see to the menace of poverty as a national epidemic like “EBOLA” and fight back to curtail its effect. The poverty of the mind can only be tackled by social behavioral change through the establishment of LIFE SKILLS CENTRES. These National LIFE SKILL CENTRES will be saddled with the responsibilities of bringing innovations to the existing conventional education system. Subjects like; critical thinking, financial literacy, problem-solving skills, practical entrepreneurial skills, self-management skills and many more should be encouraged at the primary school till secondary school levels for Nigeria to have citizens who think outside the box. NIGERIA WILL SURELY GET THERE THROUGH ANCCD AND AICD.