Rotimi Amaechi, the former Governor of Rivers State, recently offered his insights on Nigeria’s enduring poverty dilemma, coinciding with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
In a statement shared on his official X platform last Friday, Amaechi highlighted that the core challenge fueling poverty in Nigeria is the inefficient allocation and mismanagement of public funds, which hinders these resources from reaching the vulnerable populations who need them most.
“Earlier this week, I engaged in a meaningful dialogue with a group of promising young Nigerians. Our discussion centered on a straightforward yet impactful idea: many of Nigeria’s challenges could be greatly alleviated, if not resolved, by ensuring that government finances genuinely benefit the people,” he remarked.
He elaborated, “The cause of poverty in Nigeria is not the scarcity of resources but rather governance shortcomings and policies that overlook the essential needs of citizens. When families lack sufficient support and respect, the social fabric begins to fray. Poverty extends beyond mere economic hardship; it quietly intensifies social unrest and, in Nigeria’s context, exacerbates security concerns.”
Reflecting on his personal journey, Amaechi shared, “My commitment to combating poverty is deeply rooted in my own experiences. Growing up in Diobu, Port Harcourt, my family faced considerable financial hardships. I clearly remember walking to school daily, passing through affluent neighborhoods like Old GRA, which starkly contrasted with my surroundings.”
“Every day, I observed two vastly different worlds coexisting within the same city-from disparities in education and housing to healthcare, electricity, and infrastructure. Even during my university years, I was known as ‘the boy with one shirt and one trouser,’ a testament to my family’s limited resources,” he added.
These formative experiences have profoundly influenced Amaechi’s approach to leadership. He recounted how, as Governor and later as Minister of Transportation, he prioritized programs that tangibly enhanced the lives of everyday Nigerians.
“Our initiatives-such as constructing primary schools and health centers in every community, offering free education and medical care, and awarding infrastructure contracts to local businesses-were deliberate efforts to restore dignity and open up opportunities, not mere acts of charity,” he explained.
“Modernizing the railways and reforming the maritime industry were strategic moves designed to safeguard employment and reintegrate citizens into the economy, beyond just pursuing commercial interests,” Amaechi noted.
On this #InternationalDayfortheEradicationofPoverty, Amaechi urged a shift in perspective: “As the global community renews its commitment to ending social and institutional neglect by uplifting families, we must move beyond hollow policy declarations and concentrate on the individuals these policies aim to support. It is essential to develop systems that nurture, institutions that empower, and governments that view families as partners in national development rather than mere statistics.”
He emphasized that true progress hinges on people-focused policies that prioritize families, rebuild trust between citizens and authorities, and foster environments where every child can flourish in a society that leaves no family behind.
Concluding his remarks, Amaechi affirmed, “This is the path to creating a nation where public service genuinely benefits the populace. This is how we break free from the cycle of poverty.”