October 17, a day set aside by the United Nations to commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2019, presented an opportunity for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to carry out its official outreach towards ending poverty in Nigeria.
At the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the day was marked by a series of events, starting with a road walk tagged “Walk Out Poverty” which kicked off at the Old Parade Ground and ended at the International Conference Centre; followed immediately by a community outreach that took place in Barwa community, around Gosa area of Abuja.
Welcoming the hundreds of guests, the village chief, Monday Kogi, expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government for their intervention in Barwa community. He also shared his concerns about development in the community.
“Barwa is just 30 minutes’ drive from the Aso villa but we are left behind. The community lacks many social amenities, the entire community does not have a single clinic.” Monday said.
Delivering a keynote address, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, explained: “We are seizing the opportunity of this year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2019 to provide a different approach to poverty elimination which involves placing poor children and their families at the centre of decision making and formulation of sustainable programmes and interventions that will lift them out of poverty without moving them away from their communities.”
The Minister stressed that a one-year timeline towards achieving the intended outcome, “One year from now some young people in this community would have been lifted out of poverty and able to fend for themselves based on our engagements with them.” said Farouq.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development plans to use the data and information gathering from Barwa community to serve as a template to be used in other parts of the country, in line with President Buhari’s vision to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years,” she added.
By ‘Seyifunmi Adebote
