Report of the International Day for Poverty Reduction and Inequality

Report of the International Day for Poverty Reduction and Inequality
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The commemoration of 2008 International day for Poverty Reduction and Inequality (October 17 – 19) was held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria hosted by Young Activists Initiative Nigeria. The event featured road walk and discussion by young people.

Road walk – 16.00

On Saturday October 18, 2008 youths in Uyo showed their commitments to end poverty to its extremist –halving the proportion of people living on a dollar daily. Kick-out Poverty road walk commenced around the prestigious Ibom Plaza in Uyo. Placards were displayed by youths with write-ups like
“As we march today, we stampede poverty and end it”
“ its our general responsibility to fight poverty”
“ be committed to end poverty”
“ affect the poor people lives…end poverty”
“ poverty…na waooh, you must to”
“ we need basic amenities”
“ together young people can fight poverty”
“ lets support our government to end poverty”

Open Forum -17.00

Poverty in simple term is a state or condition where a person cannot afford the basic needs of life [food, clothing, shelter] at the slightest time. Government can also be in poverty due to her inability to provide some basic needs to the society, if not all. This may be as a result of conflict or crisis, illiteracy, inadequate manpower training, etc. Poverty is a composite of every society per say, affecting rich, average and poor citizens cum countries, the ability to exterminate it in a short-term is not totally guaranteed.

The forum avail young people the opportunity to brainstorm on measures of poverty reduction.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Young people in attendance at the forum made extensive contributions as to how poverty can be tackled to achieve a sustainable solution in eradicating extreme poverty. Five core areas were highlighted – Education, vocational training and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), HIV/AIDS and Youth Inclusion.

1. Education

Participants discussed that being educated should be the highest priority for every young person and therefore, commended the MDGs for making universal basic education its first theme. Though, Akwa Ibom State government and other states in Nigeria have declared “free and compulsory education” from primary to secondary school levels, participants argued that such stride should be specific as most people do not really understand the concept of the “free education”. For instance, most community dwellers expect that governments are to provide free writing materials to children.
Education is an important factor for poverty reduction as it is applicable in all facets of development and creates linkages between sectors.

Furthermore, it is not done providing free education; a good learning environment will aid children’s concentration in class and skill improvement.

2. Vocational Education/Training

Most youths in both urban and rural communities lack the opportunity to further in colleges, polytechnics and universities after primary and secondary education. In most cases, some youths do not even complete secondary education. This is found to be as a result of parents or guardians inability to afford tuition and other basic and daily needs.

However, participants opined that it is the responsibility of government, private sector and corporate organization to jointly set up vocational training centres, at least, in every local government areas. This will alleviate the high rate of poverty currently experienced among young people, as well as reducing touting, hoodlums and hooliganism in the society.

3. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Young people who have gained vocational training in school or elsewhere are obliged to put their skills into action by starting small or medium enterprises.

 At the same time, government should endeavour to set out budgetary provisions to assist young people in starting up small and medium ventures.
 Proposal writing competition should also be encouraged, where youths will showcase their projects- idea, ongoing, et cetera which will pass through selection process by set panels. The winning proposal(s) would have grants to cover the venture start-up – equipment, location, manpower, et cetera

4. HIV/AIDS

The high rate of HIV/AIDS infection and its aftermath was also considered a serious threat to ending poverty. Therefore, participants supported the no. 6 theme of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) “Combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other diseases” stating that youths must be actively and directly involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS since they are the most vulnerable group.

An Ibibio adage says “owo udono isimek nka” English “a sick person would never meet up with peers”

Therefore, while fighting to end poverty, all forms of diseases have to be prevented in order to build a healthy youth and nation.

5. Youth Inclusion

Participants stated that it is pertinent for government and agencies to have consultation with youths at all levels –locally, national, regional and globally- before initiating projects especially such that has direct impact on young people. The feeling of every young person has to be respected.

6. E-trade

Youths frowned at the current status where Nigeria is banned from e-trade. This has barred Nigerian youths from participating in e-business and on the other hand encourages youths to engage in negative measures to partake in e-business.

Participants therefore, solicited to international bodies to lift the ban so as to give young Nigerians the benefit enjoyed by youths in other regions while urging Nigerian government and financial operators to work extensively with international financial institutions for a way out.

Young Nigerians are also asked to shun fraudulent acts in e-busineses but practice fidelity at all levels of transactions.


CONCLUSION

As young people become serious about happenings in their communities and globally, there is clear signs that effective measures is on course to safeguard and achieve a reliable future.

Ending poverty is a commitment, which we will together achieve!

For more information contact
Young Activists Initiative Nigeria
E-mail: youngactivists@gmail.com,
Web: www.yainweb.ning.com
Mobile: +234 802 429 3798, 808 535 0336, 806 938 7465