Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi has stated that he is committed to lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
Mr. Obi made the disclosure on his X account on Tuesday, October 17 in celebration of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
“As we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty today, I restate my unwavering commitment and desire to pull millions of Nigerians out of poverty as part of my mission in the New Nigeria,” he posted.
The former Anambra State Governor added: “Our beloved country Nigeria is today, regrettably, known as ‘the poverty capital’ of the World. According to the World Poverty Clock, over 71 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty today and a total of 133 million people, 63 percent of the population, are classed as multidimensionally poor according to the National Bureau of Statistics. No nation can develop with more than half of its population living in poverty.”
He also maintained that the rate of poverty in Nigeria is a pitfall to the country’s advancement.
“According to Oxfam, the richest 0.003 percent of Nigerians, 6,355 individuals worth $5 million and above, have 1.4 times more wealth than 107 million other Nigerians. This high rate of poverty and gross income inequality, are obviously a threat to national prosperity, security and development.
“Investing in small businesses across the country has shown to be the fastest way of lifting people out of poverty, as has been proven by other comparable economies like India, Bangladesh, China etc.”
Mr. Obi stressed that India pulled more than 400 million people out of poverty in 21 years.
“According to the United Nations, India lifted approximately 415 million individuals out of poverty between 2000 and 2021. They achieved this remarkable milestone by reducing their global Multidimensional Poverty Index.”
He further stated: “Similarly, Bangladesh has lifted over 33 million people out of poverty within the said period; moving Bangladesh into the ranks of middle-income economies, with a projection that it will enter upper-middle income status by 2041.”
In the same vein, he appealed to Nigerian governments at all levels to take urgent and positive actions by reforming and investing in critical areas of development; health, education, and lifting people out of poverty.
He reiterated that raising people out of poverty remains his mission in making the ‘New Nigeria’ possible.
