FG seeks more partnership to end poverty

In a bid to tackle poverty in the country, the Federal Government has called for more participation from the private sector.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Delu Yakubu, made the call Saturday in Abuja at the official launch of the Shola Messe Foundation and free skill acquisition center/widows outreach programme.

Ms. Yakubu, who represented the President at the event, urged the private sector to join forces with the Federal Government to tackle poverty and related issues.

While emphasizing the importance of partnership, she said: “It’s important in a way that it’s a plus to the government because the government cannot handle such things alone, so it’s a plus to the government.”

She highlighted the need for collective action in addressing issues such as out-of-school children, persons with special needs, widows, and Almajiri (child beggars).

“I think it’s a plus to the government, and the government will always appreciate foundations like this,” Yakubu added.

Mrs Onyeka Shola-Messe, the foundation’s Managing Director, said the free skill acquisition center/widows outreach programme, aims to empower individuals with valuable skills and provide economic support to underprivileged widows.

“This initiative is aimed at empowering individuals who lack the financial means to learn valuable skills and provide a lifeline to underprivileged widows who need economic support to rebuild their lives,” she said.

Ove-Anna Ambazu, Senior Programme Officer, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), said: “IHVN is very interested in what is going on in this foundation, because we know that through our partnership, a lot of lives will be impacted. And so who will collaborate well with this and see how far it will go.

“This is a laudable activity. In terms of the Nigerian situation today, we want the government and private individuals to be able to partner and do greater things.”

The programme offers training in various skills such as fashion design, catering, and computer appreciation. The foundation appeals to the community to support this initiative, which promises to be a mutually beneficial journey.