TakingITGlobal - Panorama

Published on: Jul 5, 2005

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=5826

The world is alive with the Live 8 concert in a global appeal for reduction of world poverty and debt relief for Africa, where thousands die each day due to hunger, starvation and disease: tuberculosis, HIV/AIDs are just two examples. It is necessary, however, to think beyond the immediate, beyond the G8 and debt relief, to tackle the problem of poverty itself. Different countries have programs for solving the problem which are economic in nature; in Nigeria the Federal government has the NEEDS [National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy] as a blue print for economic reform, which is quite commendable.

Understanding the basic problem of poverty, however, is not enough to ease out the situation; but by taking steps and actively encouraging total participation of the citizens of the country, this includes getting people in the rural areas involved. It is essential to understand the basic NEEDs of the poverty stricken is food, shelter etc. This can only be taking care of by creating an avenue to help people actively engage in a productive venture.

NAPEP what a perfect mix: religion and corruption

In Nigeria we had good policies and bad policies. And good policies implemented badly. NAPEP [National Poverty Eradication Program] was created with the sole aim of eradicating poverty, but it has been selective in terms of its beneficiary. What is however worrisome is the new program called the “promise keepers”? Cases have been made against Religious institutions turned into money making ventures at the expense of the congregation. Another contending issue to consider is the coverage of such a program extending to the rural areas, and to buttress the point, only big religious institutions can be a guarantor to beneficiaries.

It is essential to consider the nature of poverty and the consequent effect on the society, i.e. long term unemployment; increase in the prices of basic items (food); general increases in the cost of living (standard of living) inflation; high energy prices; operating capacity of the local industries in relation to importation; and ban on importation of specific goods (items). The results are glaring for all to see: violence, crime, youth restiveness and vandalism.

Keeping the Promise

In keeping the promise of NEEDS, to resolve the problem of poverty it is wise to focus NAPEP on tackling poverty at the community level both in the rural areas and the urban centres by establishing Community Information and Skill Acquisition Centres (CISAC) in collaboration with local government’s Community Development Agencies, Community Development Associations, NGOs, NDE in terms of training/skill acquisition and SMEDAN in financing of small scale processing industries by farmer cooperatives (i.e. the cassava, cocoa initiative). This will there by create specialised farming/manufacturing/processing communities. With each community increasingly becoming specialised, an increasing demand for skilled labour in terms of information gathering and dissemination; sale and marketing of raw materials and finished goods; packaging and distribution; and an increasing demand for Information Communication Technology products and personnel will result.

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by simeon ifarinde
Published on: Jul 5, 2005
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=5826


The world is alive with the Live 8 concert in a global appeal for reduction of world poverty and debt relief for Africa, where thousands die each day due to hunger, starvation and disease: tuberculosis, HIV/AIDs are just two examples. It is necessary, however, to think beyond the immediate, beyond the G8 and debt relief, to tackle the problem of poverty itself. Different countries have programs for solving the problem which are economic in nature; in Nigeria the Federal government has the NEEDS [National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy] as a blue print for economic reform, which is quite commendable. Understanding the basic problem of poverty, however, is not enough to ease out the situation; but by taking steps and actively encouraging total participation of the citizens of the country, this includes getting people in the rural areas involved. It is essential to understand the basic NEEDs of the poverty stricken is food, shelter etc. This can only be taking care of by creating an avenue to help people actively engage in a productive venture. NAPEP what a perfect mix: religion and corruption In Nigeria we had good policies and bad policies. And good policies implemented badly. NAPEP [National Poverty Eradication Program] was created with the sole aim of eradicating poverty, but it has been selective in terms of its beneficiary. What is however worrisome is the new program called the “promise keepers”? Cases have been made against Religious institutions turned into money making ventures at the expense of the congregation. Another contending issue to consider is the coverage of such a program extending to the rural areas, and to buttress the point, only big religious institutions can be a guarantor to beneficiaries. It is essential to consider the nature of poverty and the consequent effect on the society, i.e. long term unemployment; increase in the prices of basic items (food); general increases in the cost of living (standard of living) inflation; high energy prices; operating capacity of the local industries in relation to importation; and ban on importation of specific goods (items). The results are glaring for all to see: violence, crime, youth restiveness and vandalism. Keeping the Promise In keeping the promise of NEEDS, to resolve the problem of poverty it is wise to focus NAPEP on tackling poverty at the community level both in the rural areas and the urban centres by establishing Community Information and Skill Acquisition Centres (CISAC) in collaboration with local government’s Community Development Agencies, Community Development Associations, NGOs, NDE in terms of training/skill acquisition and SMEDAN in financing of small scale processing industries by farmer cooperatives (i.e. the cassava, cocoa initiative). This will there by create specialised farming/manufacturing/processing communities. With each community increasingly becoming specialised, an increasing demand for skilled labour in terms of information gathering and dissemination; sale and marketing of raw materials and finished goods; packaging and distribution; and an increasing demand for Information Communication Technology products and personnel will result. « return.