How to restore global peace, alleviate poverty— Gobir

Yakubu Gobir

A Social Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Alhaji Yakubu Gobir, on Thursday urged government at all levels to adopt policy frameworks that will eradicate the persisting poverty and the alarming rates of  unemployment.

READ ALSO: Immigration boss laments Nigeria’s loss of N18bn to PPP pact

Gobir in a statement signed in commemoration of the International Day for Poverty Eradication of Poverty, noted that government particularly in Africa, should endeavor to ensure that a larger percentage of their budgets is devoted to agriculture which is the only way to ensure food security.

He further appealed to Nigerian government to shift from total dependence on oil and diversify by encouraging Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, stressing the need for government and well meaning individuals to empower the poor as well as artisans and small business owners to get them out of the high rate of poverty which according to him , is alarming and has invariably led to insecurity.

READ ALSO:Kwara State library, e-learning, innovation hub to gulp N100million

It would be recalled that Gobir, had through his NGO, Gobir Organisation Foundation in collaboration with some Nigerian banks empowered thousands of women traders in Kwara state with interest-free loans to boost their trade in order to alleviate poverty.

He also urged all tiers of government and well to do citizens to join hands to empower families, especially women and youth who are the most vulnerable, so that the cycle of poverty is eradicated.

Gobir added that “wealthy Africans and Nigerians in particular should come together to respect the human rights and dignity of the people living in poverty, it is crucial that children who are the leaders of tomorrow are well looked after.” READ ALSO:Group tasks NASS on alleged corruption in Nigeria’s criminal justice system

He however commended the school feeding programme of the Federal Government and urged all states of the federation to emulate the programme as it is the right of every child to live a life that is free of misery for their physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development irrespective of their race, religion and abilities.

He therefore attributed the high rate of crime globally to poverty, hence the need for government and various political leaders to quickly address the menace.