Let’s take a critical journey into the world of today. Poverty is one thing everyone rejects and that which no one wishes for. Yet, it cannot be denied that the rate of those suffering from this deadly syndrome is at an ever-increasing rate. It is more alarming in Nigeria as researches have shown that 63% of the total population in Nigeria lives below 1 dollar per day. The poverty rate in Nigeria remains terrifying despite high economic growth. Nigeria, of course, has one of the world’s highest growth rates, a well-developed economy and a lot of natural resources yet it retains a high level of poverty.
This situation in Nigeria has created a ‘hustling attitude among the youths. Many youths have the notion of earning an income, come what may. This can be said to be one of the factors that have brought about an increase in the crime rate among the youths in the country. This craving for money has blindfolded many to the dying needs of others in the country.
May I ask these questions?
How many of us notice the kids on our streets, who run around with ‘pure’ water, sweets and food items begging, wishing and praying someone buys from them?
How many who struggle on the streets daily see the needs of the old, tattered men and women by the sides of the road, moping with their eyes heavy and feet weak?
How many working graduates see the young men and women walking around the streets with torn suits from daily struggles to secure a job, with their CV’S fixed to their armpits?
The word poverty is that which everyone hates, yet, we forget that we can help each other change a little about this ever-increasing plague, threatening our country. Do you know that one life changed and transformed is equivalent to 10 lives saved?
Poverty is not to be addressed from the financial point of view alone, but also from the intellectual. A lot of Nigerians are poor not only financially but also intellectually that they are so blind to opportunities around them. You can make a person rich not only with your financial aid but by exposing the individual to opportunities around him/ her which are waiting to be explored. We can together change the world. So, let us all reach out to each other in no matter how little way we can and with this, I believe there would certainly be a difference. “You can change your world; you can reduce this ever-increasing rate of poverty. Do not be silent and pretend but get to inspire souls for greatness”
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