Activities for Nigeria’s 54th anniversary had longed commenced and what is probably left is the wake of the D-day which is tomorrow. Nigeria will be celebrating another year of robust economic, infrastructural, social developments, and other strides it has recorded all the way. Without mincing words, Nigeria has truly come of age in terms of development in all of sectors of its economy. There has been a tremendous change in the pattern of operation thus; leading to a sharp contrast between the ancient configuration of things and the contemporary. This can be ascribed to the maturity and enlightenment garnered by leaders as the years go by.
It is worthy of note that in as much as Nigeria has improved on every facet of its economy, and has also managed to surmount every contest, some vital conglomerates of a complete and balanced society have often stood insurmountable before her. For instance, the problems of bribery, corruption and nepotism have been timeless with each generation of leaders becoming worse than the previous. Oftentimes, incoming leaders have always promised to leave a positive trail in which the led can tow but the worst have always been the outcome thus, Nigeria gets deeper into corruption and social vices.
It is no cheering news that Nigeria occupies the 7th position as the world largest gas reserve and can generate power for the benefit of all the states. But more than half the population lives without light while some depend on their generators. Insufficient supply of power has also been a recurrence. Similarly, Poverty has undauntedly remained a part and parcel of our economy. With the rich becoming richer and the poor becoming poorer, Nigeria remains one of the oil-rich countries with a vast population of very poor people. That is, those who cannot start-up on their own.
A look at our surroundings will tell how much of the less-privileged we have around us. A handful of Nigerians lack the basic essentials of life and suffer chronic malnutrition. They are poorly clothed, poorly housed, and live in squander; with no access to health care and educational facilities. These types of people are found everywhere in our rural areas and even in the cities. Some live in flood-prone areas where erosion can readily submerge their houses. Others who do not have accommodation problems are either dying of delayed justice, suppression and imposition of inhuman laws or treatments meted out on them by the well- to-do’s and since they lack the mouth to speak for them, they undergo series of abuses, deprivation and molestation.
Available records show that more than one million Nigerians live on less than one dollar per day despite our ever-increasing oil wealth. Over the same percentage live in flooded areas, slums, ghettos and other places where environmental sanitation is a strange theme.
The area where Boko Haram originates is said to be one of the most backward and poorest community in Nigeria. Why then should they not revolt, when they are not carried along in the developmental strides of their country? That is why the wealthy and influential among them exploit their poverty situation by inciting their youths to violence and lawlessness with very meagre inducement. This is so because accesses to our crude oil exports have been open to politicians. They are now the gods while others are at their mercy little wonder their mansions, robes and crown. They are milking the country dry at the expense of the poor whom they have excluded from the corridors of power. The poor have totally been silenced from decision-making and exonerated from being a part of the nation-building machinery.
Without digressing further, poverty is one of the challenges militating against the social and economic development of Nigeria. It is an age-long enemy of man known to humiliate and dehumanize at its disposal. It has earned recognition in the extent of its ravaging the society and the affairs of humanity at the international, national and local levels, and has been a serious challenge to the Nigerian governments. Its effects which includes lack and deprivation in the basic necessities of life is worrisome. Poverty has therefore remained the major socio-economic problem facing our country today.
Many governments in Africa have looked at poverty as having to do with lack of proper planning and implementation and this is very true because if judged by the income one earns in our country, it would be observed that Nigeria’s economy altogether is not monetised. The failure of the government to put in place good governance and promote economic progress has resulted in the alarming level of poverty and unemployment in our society.
Some policies and programmes of government to alleviate policies have oftentimes failed because of corruption in government and neglect of the target group-the poor, who were never considered during the formulation of such programmes. Normally, ‘pro-poor’ policies should be the focus of every poverty alleviation scheme. This will enable the government put the poor at the fore of their plans in order to ensure that the eventual yield of such programmes is the target.
Unfortunately, Poverty alleviation/empowerment has been bandied around by Nigerian leaders of government since the return of democracy. They frequently mention these words as a mark to show their commitment towards providing a better life for the people but it appears many of them do not understand what it takes to alleviate the suffering of the masses. Their programmes for poverty alleviation can hardly build people’s lives and provide them with better living conditions. Little wonder many Nigerians are still trapped in poverty despite the government’s poverty alleviation programmes across the country. There has been no improvement in the fight against poverty and this is widespread that it requires no proof. Every government ends up beginning the journey of a thousand miles which the next government will find tasking, outdated or capital-intensive to handle.
Nigerian leaders need to take a cue from the western world on measures taken to reduce their people’s suffering. These countries have been able to achieve the desired results through the provision of welfare programmes and leverage, provision of jobs, affordable healthcare and counselling investment in public schools; building affordable houses; debates on teenage pregnancy; police protection, parenting and literacy programmes etc.
According to Aregbeshola Sampson, any government that is sincere about alleviating the suffering of the people at any level should work in line with the above-mentioned programmes in order to achieve results.
First, government should provide welfare programmes and leverage for those who have a tough time starting on their own.
Second, Public works, textile industries and agriculture-based work opportunities should be provided to the millions of youths out there seeking employment.
Third, the education system which is in a state of collapse due to poor funding should be re-invested in. The proliferation of private schools in Nigeria is a consequence of improper funding of public schools which trained most of our leaders. Proper funding will help raise the standard of education which is central to the development of any nation.
This, if properly pursued will make Nigeria regain its pride of place as a country potentially blessed and capable of reducing very significantly her poverty level.
As Nigeria clocks 54, it is imperative that she corrects the needful in every sector of her economy and balances every imbalanced segment appropriately using the right measures. Only then can we truly attest that the labour of our heroes past was never in vain.
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