The 31st Annual Development Forum of the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), will be held on October 24, 2024 at the nation’s capital, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Expected at the annual event are development finance institutions, government functionaries, civil society organisations, policy makers, health and financial institutions, scholars in the academia, traditional and religious leaders, among others.
The LAPO Development Forum is an annual event that marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Beginning in 1994, the Forum has become the go-to platform for discussing and finding practical solutions to poverty and development issues.
“The 31st edition of the Annual LAPO Development Forum, 2024, aims to delve into the paradox of poverty amidst wealth in Nigeria. The average Nigerian is a poor man. Nigeria is a nation of riches and poverty, wealth in the hands of few and extreme/abject poverty at the doorsteps of many.
“The divergence between Nigeria’s economic indicators, macroeconomic variables and the reality is a source of concern. The reality is that people die because they cannot afford three square meals a day as well as access basic public healthcare. As strange as this may sound, this goes on side-by-side with ostentatious display of wealth by the privileged few. This forum seeks to explore the underlying issues and various perspectives surrounding this complex phenomenon,” LAPO Group says.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the nation’s data agency, about a hundred million Nigerians currently suffer from multidimensional poverty. And with the country’s inflation rate at about 39 percent, the need to find urgent and practical solutions to poverty in Africa’s most populous nation has become more urgent, thus justifying the need for programmes such as the LAPO development forum.
The theme of this year’s event is “Paradox of Poverty in a ‘Wealthy Nation’, Policy Issues and Perspectives”.
Andrew Mamedu, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria is the keynote speaker. Other eminent personalities expected at the event include Dr Osaren Emokpae, chairman, board of directors, LAPO who will act as co-chairman. The list also includes Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, founder and chief executive officer, LAPO Group who is the host.
“The 2024 conference presents a timely opportunity for key stakeholders to critically examine the challenges of poverty in Nigeria within the context of its status as a ‘’wealthy nation.’’ it aims to catalyse action towards building a more equitable and prosperous future for all Nigerians’,’ LAPO states.
This year’s event is expected to enhance the understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of poverty in Nigeria; support the identification of actionable strategies and policy recommendations to address poverty and promote inclusive development, strengthen partnerships and collaborations among stakeholders fore effective poverty alleviation initiatives, as well as increase the public awareness and advocacy of sustainable development goals and poverty eradication.
The Forum will focus on the potential of trade and, particularly, agricultural trade to support SDG implementation with a focus on creating a more efficient, transparent and barrier-free trading environment. The Forum will also focus on innovation policy and the promotion of PPPs, and how they can contribute to sustainable economic growth.
