By Olusegun Folarin
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has solicited the collaborative efforts between the government, faith-based institutions, wealthy individuals, and corporate entities to break the cycle of poverty in Nigeria.
Governor Abiodun made the call during the 12th Annual Lecture to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Foursquare Gospel Church, held at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The governor who stressed that poverty alleviation required the concerted efforts of all stakeholders said government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of tackling the scourge of poverty.
He urged the faith-based organizations, private sector players, and community leaders to join hands with the government to provide education, vocational training, mentorship, and micro-financing to uplift individuals and foster resilience in communities.
Governor Abiodun noted that church’s emphasis on discipline, stewardship, and accountability could help to promote values of hard work, integrity, and accountability, which he said were critical for economic stability and growth.
In a lecture entitled “Poverty Alleviation, Economic Development, and Stability of the Nigerian Economy,” the former Economic Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr. Doyin Salami said there was the need for Nigeria to adopt hard reforms, similar to those implemented by the People’s Republic of China, to drive economic growth and stability.
Dr Salami also proposed a seven-year tenure for elective officials to enable them to focus on tackling the country’s challenges.
Earlier, the General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Pastor Sam Aboyeji, had explained that the public lecture was part of the church’s platforms to discuss national issues aimed at finding solutions to the nation’s problems.
He commended Governor Abiodun for demonstrating consistency in the state’s socio-economic development, maintaining that his investment in infrastructure, agriculture, education, youth empowerment, among others, as well as poverty alleviation, had lifted the state to a higher pedestal.
