FG Launches Ambitious Plan to Lift 50 Million Nigerians Out of Poverty
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, announced that her ministry is collaborating with other government ministries and private sector partners to assist in lifting 50 million Nigerians out of poverty.
This initiative is in response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive. The efforts to tackle poverty are recognised as multi-dimensional, encompassing issues such as access to education, quality healthcare, and job opportunities.
The government has already implemented measures like a conditional cash transfer programme, offering N25,000 to 15 million poor households for the next three months, totaling N75,000.
The aim is to provide immediate economic relief to those affected by recent subsidy changes while also contributing to lifting 61 million households out of poverty.
The Minister emphasised that they are taking their time to ensure that the funds reach the intended recipients, avoiding errors that might result from a rushed approach.
Some of the strategies to combat poverty include creating jobs, offering zero-interest loans to traders and farmers, and implementing social safety net projects targeting specific groups, such as poor farmers and market traders.
Collaboration with other ministries, such as Health, Education, Finance, and Agriculture, is crucial in addressing the multi-faceted issue of poverty.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is working as part of a larger team to improve access to healthcare, education, and job opportunities as essential tools in the fight against poverty.
The retreat held by the ministry has been instrumental in aligning government efforts and setting a clear agenda for addressing poverty.
President Tinubu has emphasised the need for all stakeholders to sign a performance bond to ensure the effective delivery of set targets.
The commitment to tackling poverty is a multi-pronged approach that combines financial relief with long-term solutions, aiming to significantly improve the lives of millions of Nigerians.
Source: PUNCH
