The Federal Government, on Friday, said its target is not just to eradicate poverty, but to also prevent Nigerians from sliding into poverty.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, disclosed this in Maiduguri, Borno State, during a two-day working visit to the state, according to a statement issued in Abuja by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rasheed Zubair.
The minister, who was received by the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, said the President, Bola Tinubu, had vowed to minimise humanitarian crisis and eliminate poverty in Nigeria, as this was in fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2.
Edu stated, “It is important that the humanitarian ministry renews its partnership with the state and leverage on the state’s successes and experience to find better ways of doing things.
“The ministry under me will not only aim at eliminating poverty, but it shall also provide safety nets to prevent Nigerians from going under the poverty line.”
Dr Betta Edu explained that
She informed the governor that the Federal Government was committed to returning Nigerian refugees and migrants to their various homes by 2024.
She said structures must be put in place to repatriate and reintegrate the internally displaced persons into their various communities, adding that the national social register would be cleaned up and expanded to accommodate more people In order to meet set targets.
The humanitarian minister stated, “The ministry shall establish humanitarian hubs in all Local Government Areas as a deliberate policy of targeting the grassroots, as well as the rural poor that are more in large numbers in communities and villages.
“The ministry shall deliberately create job opportunities for youth on a short and long term basis, giving micro-credits, vocational training, among others.”
Zulum assured the minister of his government’s commitment towards addressing humanitarian issues and poverty in Borno State.
He noted that once poverty was addressed, insecurity would be addressed, stressing that harboring IDPs in camps was not sustainable.