International Poverty Day: Nasarawa prioritises skills acquisition, empowerment to combat poverty
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By Our Reporter, Lafia
Nasarawa State Government says it has prioritised skill acquisition, empowerment and social interventions for the teeming youths, women and vulnerable to combat poverty in the state.
Ms Magreth Elayo, Commissioner for Special Duties on Humanitarian, Social Services and Non-Governmental Organisations said this in Lafia to commemorate International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Elayo, while noting that poverty eradication involved processes, said the state under the leadership of Gov Abdullahi Sule had identified challenges being experienced by the people and established a world-class skill acquisition centre.
She said the state through the Centre had equipped the youths, and women with relevant skills to be self-reliant thereby combating poverty as well as contributing their quota to the economic development of the state.
“What the Governor is doing is equipping young graduates with skills, when we put you in skill acquisition, which is a couple of months, we equipped you with necessary gadgets to stand on your own.
“Today, some of these young graduates are business owners, because starter kits were given to them upon completion,” she said.
The humanitarian Commissioner also said her Ministry had been engaging in various interventions as well as the distribution of palliatives to the vulnerable; elderly, persons with disabilities and bedridden people.
Elayo described Poverty Eradication Day as more of an information-giving day to better equip people toward doing what they needed to do to come out of poverty than just a commemoration.
“Because I know for a fact that poverty cannot be completely eradicated on a pace we are imagining it, but at least a stepping stone, the way we start it, eventually, we are hopeful that we will take it out completely,” she said.
She said her ministry had marked the Day by organising a symposium on skills development for students of various high institutions in the states.
“Today, we engaged a couple of schools because I don’t believe poverty is just with food alone.
“Some of the submissions I gave students is you are in school does not mean that you can’t work, as individuals we all have our dreams and aspirations.
“You can put all these together, your skills in motion by going out there and start working at your own level in eradicating that poverty in your generation,” she charged.
She said her Ministry in partnership with the state government was working assiduously to take youngsters off the street by channeling their thoughts and behaviours into something lucrative.
“And that is equipping them with skills and knowledge, some that are ready to go to school the government of the day is putting them back to school.
“Some that dropped out of school due to family challenges, the present administration under the leadership of Gov Sule is assuming the financial responsibility,” she said.
The reports that the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is commemorated on October 17th every year; the theme for this year is “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies”.
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