FG seeks private sector support in fight against poverty

The federal government has called for greater private sector involvement in the fight against poverty in the country.

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Delu Yakubu, made the appeal at the launch of the free skills acquisition programme by the Shola Mese Foundation in Abuja on Saturday.

Yakubu, who represented the President at the event, urged the private sector to join hands with the federal government to address poverty and related issues.

The presidential adviser stressed the importance of cooperation, stating: “It is important in the sense that it is a plus for the government because the government cannot deal with such matters alone, so it is a plus for the government.”

He stressed the need for collective action to address issues such as out-of-school children, persons with special needs, widows and Almajiri (begging children).

“I think this is a plus for the government, and the government will always appreciate such foundations,” Yakubu added.

The call for action comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with humanitarian challenges and poverty.

According to the latest statistics, over 90 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, with many vulnerable groups struggling to access basic necessities such as education and healthcare.

The federal government has launched various initiatives to address these issues but recognizes the need for additional support and resources from the private sector.

Shola Mese Foundation has inaugurated the Skill Acquisition Center and Widows Welfare Program in Apo Dutse Community, Abuja.

The aim of this initiative is to equip individuals with valuable skills and provide economic support to disadvantaged widows.

The Managing Director of the foundation, Ms. Onyeka Shola-Mese, said: “The aim of this initiative is to enable those who lack financial resources to acquire valuable skills and to provide a lifeline to underprivileged widows who need economic support to rebuild their lives.”

The program offers training in a variety of skills, such as fashion design, catering and computer appreciation. The foundation appeals to the community to support this initiative, which promises to be a mutually beneficial journey.

We encourage the private sector to heed this call and join forces with government to make a real difference in the lives of millions of Nigerians.