By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
As the country nears another electioneering cycle in 2023, the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity, have advised Nigerians to rise up to ensure that only candidates who are committed to holistically implementing policies and programs aimed towards eradication of poverty are elected across board.
The Hispaniola X Deck (Lekki Chapter) of the Confraternity stated this in a Press Release unveiling the Deck’s activities for marking this year’s INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY 2022, that was made available to journalists yesterday in Lagos.
The Release, signed by Mr. Sunny Agbejuasun, Capoon of Hispaniola X Deck of NAS, disclosed that the Deck’s program for the International day for the eradication of poverty themed, “Dignity For All In Practice” reiterates the commitment of world bodies and government of all nation to end poverty in all form everywhere.
He defined Poverty as a state of being in which a person lacks the income (or other means of support) to reliably meet their basic personal needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
The Pyrates asserted that “poverty is a denial of human rights for every individual. Indeed, poverty is utterly appalling. Not only does it lead to a life of daily deprivation, hunger and suffering, but it also prevents the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedom, which every human being should be able to enjoy without hindrance.”
The Capoon of Hispaniola X Deck of NAS signed Press Release added that Poverty in Nigeria by a recent World Bank report disclosed that about 95 million Nigeria are projected to be living in extreme poverty, which is below the poverty line of $1.90 per day and that was sharp increase of over 14% increase from 81.5 million people in 2018/19 report.
While calling on Government actors at all levels, institutions and corporate bodies to also renew their commitment towards the eradication of poverty through positive actions, the Pyrates Confraternity noted that sluggish growth, low human capital, labour market weaknesses, and exposure to shocks were holding Nigeria’s poverty reduction back.
Adding, it stated that, “in Nigeria it is unarguable that positive political actions have been very slow albeit seldom evinced from government policies and programs towards eradication of poverty.”
The Agbejuasun signed Press Release also noted that Corruptions in high places were everyday accounts of sabotage of committed efforts towards poverty eradication in Nigeria. That it therefore seems that all acclaimed government policies and programs do not translate towards poverty eradication in Nigeria as the funds meant for holistic implementation of government policies and programs for the eradication of poverty were being looted without anyone being held accountable for such brazen looting.
“Recent discovery showed that Nigeria loses about $700 million monthly from its crude oil theft. Tertiary institution just ended a strike action of about 8 months and currently, flood disaster has ravaged residents of Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta and Kogi States and billions of properties and lives has been lost.
“All the above snippet albatross have been persistent in contributing towards yearly increasing rate of poverty rate in Nigeria with little efforts from the government to end it while the graft sector blossoms.” The Pyrates Confraternity stated.