Nigerians To FG: You Can’t Use Palliatives To Cure Poverty

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Thursday, January 21st, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A cross section of Nigerians on Twitter are criticising the plan of the government to lift 20 million Nigerian out of poverty in two years through a cash transfer scheme.

African Examiner reports that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) on Tuesday during the flag-off of the cash transfer scheme called Rapid Response Register (RRR), stated that the federal government plans to lift 20 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next two years.

Osinbajo said: “The groundbreaking success of the RRR, now emboldens us to achieve our aspiration of a social security programme for a minimum of twenty million Nigerians in the next two years. This will be the largest of its kind on the continent. This (aspiration) is, at least from the perspective of this tested approach, now well within our reach.

“The only constraint, of course, is the funding which we must look for because this country deserves a social security scheme that will not merely alleviate poverty but also create wealth for the millions of those who are waiting for this opportunity.

“Our government launched the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) in 2017 to provide the framework for institutionalizing the work we started since 2016 on reducing extreme poverty in Nigeria, based on our administration’s vision to create a comprehensive social security programme for the poor and vulnerable and thereafter the pledge to lift 100 million Nigerian’s out of poverty in ten years.”

This development provoked many social media commentators who took to the micro-blogging platform to condemn the initiative saying that giving palliative to less privileged can never solve the issue of poverty in the country.

They enjoined the government to come out with more favorable economic policies instead of “Almajiri policies” that will help less privileged Nigerians out of poverty.

The African Examiner gathers some of their thoughts below:

No #bitcoin, no entry.@Kit_Udemba_21 writes: “Federal government of Nigeria said they will lift 20m Nigerians out of poverty in 2 years with 5k (12.67 USD). As of today 1/20/2021 price of gasoline has increased Also transportation and utilities cost is higher. VP Osinbajo vs 20 million Nigeria.”

Finest Resident Catechist @TwittaCatechist writes: “Fulani Herdsmen can live and do any business anywhere in the Nigeria? But an Igbo man cannot sell Alcohol in Kano and a Yoruba man cannot rear Pig in Sokoto. Until everyone rise up to challenge the status quo the 20m Nigerians Hausa-Fulani will continue to feel they own Nigeria.”

RA_SH@OchuRasheed writes: “I can’t really fathom how the FG is planning to lift about 20m Nigerians out of poverty with 5 thousand naira each. How do you impoverished people and start toying with their hearts with nonsense policy? Take 5thousand naira and you’re out of poverty??? Is this not ment?’

holuwarbummy@iamholuwarbummy writes: “Prof osinbajo and PMB said they want to lift 20m Nigerians from poverty with 5k with just 5k I can start my business and become the next billionaire.”

BABY GIRL@the__elohor writes: “20m Nigerians out of poverty with 33k minimum wage,shey na ment?”

Uncle Josh @JoshMantic writes: “FG want to do 5k giveaway for 20m Nigerians… The giveaway they will be winning with their other acct.”

MzJen@MzJen6 writes: “So @ProfOsinbajo what to remove poverty of 20m Nigerians with 5k. This one no important sha Biko who knows how the gist btw @omotalaand @Gistloversblog1 ended yesterday.”

Udozi@mkem writes: “This present government and always lifting 20m Nigerians out of poverty, last year it was the same 20m abi na only 20m people poor for Nigeria abi lie don finish.”