The growing problem of poverty in Nigeria: What can we do to reduce it?
Poverty is an insidious disease that disables, depresses and ultimately kills scores of people around the world. Those affected can be old or young, black or white or brown, rich or poor, skinny or obese. Every day more than 50,000 people die unnecessarily because of poverty. Nearly a billion people suffer needlessly, some of them in the midst of plenty.
Yes, gifted people can and do suffer deprivation and painful premature deaths. My country of birth beloved Nigeria is an example. How could a nation so blessed with countless natural and human resources be so cursed that nothing works right? Every stat that should be high is low and those that should be low are high. Whether it’s about mortality, employment, crime, disease, accident, corruption, greed, human rights, you name it!
The facts are that, within the Beverly Hills of the world, you will find poverty staring you in the face, albeit obscured. Within their mansions, some materially wealthy are, in Fela’s prophetic words, “suffering and smiling.” Poverty is as relative as it is universal. Depravity comes in various colors, shapes, sizes, and degrees. It is not just about money as some would wrongly portray. How you define it, is your version of poverty.
The effects of poverty are profound for both the individual and society, especially in Nigeria. Humanity should find an affordable cure; Until then, each person must do what they can to prevent and treat this pandemic. Personal responsibility must be called to arms. Furthermore, it is easier to steer a small boat (the individual) than to turn a large ship (the society). So it is up to one to start with oneself.
Poverty is slavery, according to the African adage (somalia). The Book says that the poor will always be among us. Gandhi stated that “poverty is the worst form of violence.” And Einstein said that no problem could be solved with the same level of consciousness that created it. I ask, what can be done to minimize depravity in Nigeria?
We have all heard or witnessed “rags to riches” stories. Books have been written to show us how to improve ourselves. There are roadmaps to improve ourselves, both individually and collectively. It’s never easy! Are we willing to work harder, sacrifice more, and implement better strategies to improve our lot? Or are we going to be coy and perpetuate the cycle of poverty by blaming everything and everyone but ourselves? Or are we going to put our feet down and say “enough” and break this miserable cycle? “With God all things are possible,” but we have to do our part.
Eight Ways to Reduce Poverty in Nigeria – Here are eight ways to reduce poverty in Nigeria.
Education and implementation: It is important to know what to do. However, it is essential to put that knowledge into perpetual praxis.
Foster relationships with the right people: Meeting lots of people is good, meeting the right people is even better. Be careful, that receptionist can help you more than the manager. As the saying goes, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Be prepared to “give” before you can “receive.”
Financial planning: Start saving early and often. Little drops of savings form the mighty ocean of wealth. Create additional sources of income. Don’t risk too much or too little. Capital preservation must be paramount. Learn money management skills first, and then teach people you can contact. Most people are embarrassed to talk about these life skills. They fear that if they catechize about saving money, they will be labeled “have it all or know it all.” As I wrote in a previous article, that mindset makes “money” a dirtier word than sex. It should also not be dirty; both are relevant when used as intended!
Healthier Living – Make exercise and healthier living a priority in your family. Watch what you eat and what you feed your children. A sick family member affects the lives of all members. A sedentary lifestyle kills prematurely. The healthy you is a rich you!
Planned Parenthood: There are too many mouths and not enough to feed them. Consider having as few children as you can afford. When is enough really enough? The God who gave you children does not want you to raise them in poverty.
Era of self-sufficiency: It is wise to help those in need. However, each person must fulfill his side of the bargain. Politicians are sounding this alarm with their code words for budget and deficit reduction. Governments cannot do everything.
Avoid the culture of poverty: Lavish funerals and excessive titling rituals set wasteful precedents and must be curtailed. Expensive funerals raised no Pharaoh from the dead then and they will raise no Lazarus today. It is unfortunate that even educated Nigerians are fanning the amber of waste and promoting this culture of poverty. Why not invest the resources in the living as a tribute to the deceased?
You are proactive in expressing your wishes about where and how you want to be buried: cremation or formal burial, internment here or in Nigeria. And save to finance your choice. Don’t let the bereaved spouse bear the consequences for his family members here and in Nigeria.
Terrible governments and (yes) citizen-supported corruption and other social problems have continued to plague Nigeria. Many people suffer and die in the midst of plenty. Several have been forced into exile within and outside of Nigeria. Insecurity, disease and crime are alarmingly abundant, while a few empty the collective coffers with impunity.
The end result is that everyone loses: the rich and the poor, the rulers and the subjects, the sectarian victims and victimizers, the robbed and the armed robbers, the kidnapped and their kidnappers, and all of us abroad. For the good of all, let’s reduce poverty, today’s slavery.
These words from musician John Mayer ring so true:
“Now we see everything that goes wrong
With the world and those who lead it
We feel we don’t have the means
To rise above and beat it”
So how long are we going to “keep waiting for the world to change”? Wouldn’t we rather start with the masterpiece in the mirror?
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