Penury and Hunger: Current obvious realities in every Nigerian home, by Dr Suleiman Kawuwa
From all indications, our beloved country is passing through the fire of hunger, poverty and scarcity of major means of survival.
This current situation has affected not just families but private and cooperate organisations and the government at large.
A trouble of a nation’s economic tragedy that started with just a simple removal of fuel subsidy by the government, a decision meant to correct past mistakes of political predecessors has left the country in quandary.
The effects are felt by all and sundry, especially the service providers, artisans petty traders who have been handicapped by inflation and lack of daily patronage from their usual customers who are also not finding it funny.
Mechanics and skilled labourers of all categories are not left out, goods and services are all on the high sides as well as costs of transportation.
READ ALSO: Kaduna housewives demand Govt action as hunger, food prices soar
Who do we blame, the government thought it is doing us well but we see our situation getting worse by the day. They keep making us promises, we have also waited for real solutions but none in sight yet.
When it is hard to access gainful employment, even the people who are employed are finding it very difficult to cope with the present exorbitant cost of living as a result of higher inflation and shortage of basic income to meet the basic needs.
We know the essence of government lies in its ability to promote the citizens’ welfare and guarantee them protection of their lives and properties. Oh the Giant of Africa, where have we gone wrong, is it really about tribe, tongue, age or experience?
Our present situation needs urgent attention from the government, wealthy people, religious organizations, international bodies, please your interventions are necessary to save Nigeria.
Almost all the Nigerian civil servants working in regular organisations of government are crying, academic staff of Universities, admin officers at the federal and state ministries, hardly can feed or take care of the basic needs of a family of 5. Our monthly incomes and wages are no longer sufficient as a result of inflation.
According to ILO Declaration of Philadelphia, 1944, “poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere”.
The immediate remedy to our situation right now depends wholly on the government, it should devise a good and feasible framework for Wealth Redistribution in the country.
We are not a poor country but our wealth and opportunities are left in the hands of few people who have over the years managed our commonwealth to enrich themselves, that is why poverty continues to grow in our society.
China was able to lift eight hundred million (800, 000, 000) people out of poverty in 40 years because, they imbibed a good redistribution policy. This data shows that every year China was lifting at least 20 million people out of poverty. China is not heaven; they have done it here on earth so Nigeria has the capacity to replicate their success story.
Another measure that can work on poverty reduction and eradication is the option of job creation. If adequate measures are put in place to address the problems of unemployment in Nigeria, with the teaming number of energetic youths yearning for opportunities to be productive, our country will rise again.
The agricultural sector has been neglected, meanwhile, it is supposed to be our power house if it can be revamped in order to generate more job opportunities for our able-bodied youth who are ready to create more wealth and food security for the country.
Values like providing incentives for irrigation farming activities (such as accessing cheaper sources of water, machines, improved seeds, access to cheaper fertilizer and pesticides etc.), which have lesser risk than weight season farming and with higher success chances especially when implemented under the supervision of the agricultural experts and extension workers should be added.
Underemployment should also be addressed, to avoid or reduce poverty in Nigeria, we must have a good rewarding labour and services policy where salaries and wages can meet the basic needs of the employers.
The implementation of the above critical factors of poverty reduction by our political leaders, and stakeholders of social development can serve as a remedy to the escalation of poverty in our societies, more particularly in the northern parts of Nigeria.
Dr. Kawuwa (PhD) is a sociology lecturer at Yobe State University, Damaturu and can be reached at
Email: s.kawuwa.sk@gmail.com
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Masha Allah what a fantastic and beneficial article.
We appreciate your dedication, devotedness and Services to the humanity.
More talents Sir.
The man with clean heart, the man that always saying truth.
A man with clean heart, the man that always says the truth: Dr Suleiman Kawuwa.
Thank you.
I don’t know that am living in critical condition until I reached this useful article, may almighty Allah bless your entire life and this is a good advice for the first class citizens and to the government at large sir.
Our lives matters: GOVERNMENT INDEED
#SAVE NIGERIANS
#FROM POVERTY….
Dr. You’ve said it all, May Almighty Allah bless you and make those leaders to reconsider their decision.
Ameen.