The Federal Government expressed its intent on Friday, emphasizing that its goal extends beyond eradicating poverty—it also aims to shield Nigerians from the risk of poverty.
During her two-day visit to Borno State, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, highlighted this perspective. The statement came via her Media and Publicity adviser, Rasheed Zubair, in Abuja.
Welcomed by Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, Dr. Edu noted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to curbing humanitarian crises and wiping out poverty in line with Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2.
Edu stressed the significance of strengthening ties with state entities, stating, “We aim to do more than just eradicate poverty. We’ll establish safety nets to keep Nigerians above the poverty threshold.”
She assured Governor Zulum of the Federal Government’s dedication to resettling Nigerian refugees by 2024. She emphasized the necessity of both repatriating and reintegrating displaced individuals into their original communities, alongside plans to refine and expand the national social register.
In a move to address grassroots needs, Edu announced plans to set up humanitarian hubs in every Local Government Area. These hubs will primarily cater to the rural poor. She also mentioned plans for youth job creation, micro-loans, and vocational training.
Governor Zulum affirmed Borno State’s dedication to tackling poverty and related humanitarian concerns. He believes that by alleviating poverty, issues of insecurity will diminish and stressed that keeping IDPs in camps isn’t a long-term solution.
