Poverty is not a new phenomenon. It is one of the Perennial problems in the world. Jesus told Judas, one of his greedy disciple, “You will always have the poor among you” (John 12:4-8). However, the UN National Assembly have taken up the noble, but unrealistic, task of eradicating poverty. In view of this, October 17th was set aside as International Day of Eradication of Poverty. Since the first commemoration of this great event, in 1987 at Paris in Francis, poverty has remained a major global challenge. Some countries, like Nigeria have even experienced economic recession – poverty at the national level.
The theme of this year’s International Day of eradication of poverty is, “Answering the Call of October 17 to end poverty: A path toward peaceful and inclusive societies.” This call can only be achieved according through peaceful and inclusive society. Where there is peace there is progress and where there is progress there is absence of poverty. Inclusion remains the best way to end poverty. A society where everybody is carried along is a society where poverty has little or no place. The poorest society is a society where few individuals are richer than the entire society.
Poverty, according to Pope Francis, is not just an abstract term. According to him, “Poverty has a face! It has the face of a child; it has the face of a family; it has the face of people, young and old. It has the face of widespread unemployment and lack of opportunity. It has the face of forced migrations, and of empty or destroyed homes.” The problem of poverty can only be addressed only when the lives of the human persons that make up the society are transformed and enriched.
President Buhari of Nigeria has finally admitted that one of the major cause of poverty and suffering in Nigeria is the non-payment of salaries. The President met with members of the National Council of traditional rulers on September 11, 2017 where he decried the way the Paris Club Refund was spent by some state governors. As people are dying of hunger some governors are busy building monuments with people’s salaries. This is not just irrational, it is unfair and even a criminal offence. A labourer deserves his wages! Last week the President was even wondering how workers are surviving without their salaries. It’s a big scandal.
As long as the current situation of things in Nigeria is concerned, the idea of poverty eradication remains mirage! There are so many factors and forces that militates against the total eradication of poverty. As we join the United Nations to celebrate International Day for the Eradication of poverty, so many questions comes to mind. For instance, how can we eradicate poverty in a country that practices capitalism, an economic system, where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer? Since Nigeria embraced privatization so many people have lost their jobs. Only a few individuals are employed as contract workers. Those who are not related to the bourgeois have lost their jobs, which is their only means of livelihood.
How can we eradicate poverty when there is still ban on importation of stable foods such as rice? When we have not even started producing our own rice. A country where agricultural equipments and facilities are so expensive and out of the reach of the common man. Instead of subsidizing these equipments so that everyone in the country could afford them at a lower prize, the government is rather releasing grants and funds to the same few set of individuals who have access to them.
Is it possible to eradicate poverty when the government has refused to pay the salaries of their workers? pensioners are dying of hunger. How can we eradicate poverty when the major roads are completely dilapidated? Thereby making it difficult for businessmen to transport their goods from one part of the country to another. Truck drivers now sleep on the roads. Before they could get to their destinations most of their perishable goods are destroyed.
How can we eradicate poverty in a country where the graduates have refused to take positive initiatives? They are all roaming about carrying their files looking for white kola jobs that does not exist. Think of how many young men and women that spend most of their precious time in drinking bar. Is that where and how to eradicate poverty? Most of them have even joined the militants and political agitators.
Do you think the Nigerian government is actually interested in poverty eradication when the law makers are busy trying to pass a bill that will curtail and even frustrate the activities of the Non-governmental Organizations. Whereas a good number of these NGOs in Nigeria and other parts of the world have actually contributed to poverty eradication. A tree cannot make a forest. As long as poverty eradication is concerned, the government cannot do it alone. They need other non-governmental organizations to help in any way possible to eradicate poverty from society.
Can we talk of poverty eradication in a country where civil servants and political leaders who are old enough to retire have bluntly refused to retire? Yet, we have so many young-able men and women who are looking for jobs. Most of the elderly ones in service are not strong enough to face the challenges posed by current global world. Among the abuses against the elders, as we reflect every 15th day of June is to impose on elders responsibilities that their age cannot manage.
How can we eradicate poverty when all the refineries in Nigeria are not working? We claim to be among the oil producing nations, yet we cannot even refine our crude oil here in Nigeria. Even those who are trying to refine these crude oil in a local way are not only discouraged but are also labeled criminals? If these local refineries are encouraged, imagine how many youths be gainfully employed and empowered!
How can we eradicate poverty when our textile industries that would have created employment are closed down? Have you ever imagined how many people lost their jobs after the closure of railway stations, the coal and coco industries, the Ewo flour mill and so many other vibrant but abandoned industries and even the Nigerian brewery?
How can we eradicate poverty when the government keep giving particular sets of individuals licence whereas majority of the citizens who are struggling to set up businesses are discouraged with high taxation and taskforces. How can we eradicate poverty when the bank have refused to give loan to beginners. No matter how hardworking and how enterprising you may be, if you don’t belong to the rich class with collateral nobody will approve a loan for you. As it stands, without the approval of the rich, as guarantors, one can never get any grant/loan. By implication, the poor will always remain at the mercy of the rich. It does not make any sense!
How can we eradicate poverty in a country that is not accountable to its citizens, a country that survives only on borrowing, a country where the rich have access to foreign medical care but the poor are not even allowed to eat foreign rice. Only God knows what happened to the fund from the removal of fuel subsidy. And am still praying and hoping that God will keep us alive to see the day when Nigeria will start using the money they got from looters?
Above all, how can we eradicate poverty when men of God and other religious leaders have refused to work. They only rely on people’s offerings, seed sowing and tithe. Whereas St. Paul, declares, “Let him who refuse to work not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) St. Paul did not use his office as a gospel minister to justify his laziness. He told his followers that he toil day and night so as to not to be a burden on anyone (1 Thessalonians 2:9). We should not use our position in the Church to justify our laziness.
The answer to these questions is indeed the beginning of poverty eradication. If at all we must win the war against poverty then we must take these questions seriously. Moreover, all hands must be on deck. There should be a balance between the rich and the poor. The gap between the rich and the poor must be taken into consideration.
In addition, we must take seriously the scriptural plea on poverty. For instance, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31). The greatest honour one can give to God is by taking care of the poor, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and prisoners and of course clothing those who are naked (Matthew 25:31-45) As you do so, God will richly bless you and it shall be well with you, in Jesus name – Amen!
