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How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi - Politics - Nairaland

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How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by ijustdey: 2:30pm On Aug 10, 2022
Nigeria was destined to be world football champions by the year 2020, what we achieved was world poverty champions. This we have momentarily lost to India in 2021 after a three-year reign though we are working assiduously to regain the crown. Also, Nigeria was expected by others, to be one of the 20 largest economies in the world (others projected these worthy aims for us), what we achieved was 31st from 26th position.

Professor Sheriffdeen Tella captured the quagmire we are in in his July 18, 2022 article, titled, Nigeria refuses to win against poverty and hunger, published by The PUNCH. In the article, he paraphrased a speech by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, warning that the war against poverty was more difficult to overcome than armed rebellion. Like most advice the grand old man gave, it was roundly ignored and here we are today—the poverty capital of the world!

Yet the warning signs were there. Not long ago it was made known that 80% of the world’s poverty would reside in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. What a paradox, the two resource-richest African countries housing eight out of 10 of the world’s poorest. Yet Nigerian leaders of thought harp on each region having resources that will transform their regions. That having resources does make a country rich should be the takeaway lesson of the last few decades.

This lesson is known in other climes as other races in the world have stopped whining because they lost out in the resource lottery. While dependency on resources dulled the thinking of the resource-rich, it spurred the resource-poor to put on their thinking caps and exit the poverty trap. These countries also escaped the upheavals that resources attract, while the DRC and Nigeria are bedevilled by crises over resources, adding to the poverty count in both countries.

Population growth and poverty: The accepted wisdom is that high population growth rate is not good; low growth is good. There is ambivalence about this as countries that imbibed this demographic policy are now beset with an ageing and declining population, while Africa has a youth bulge that will deliver if incentivised. Otherwise, as has been the case, the poverty indices will worsen. Nigeria is a two-edged sword in this regard with an Afghanistan-type demographic North and a South-East Asia demographic South. One seems a liability, the other an asset.

Today we are dwelling on how we have become poverty champions not how we will turn a liability—our Afghanistan North—into an asset and avoid an asset spiralling to a liability. Let it be made known that the Nigerian state is directly responsible for impoverishing the Nigerian people but not without the connivance of the people of Nigeria.

How Nigerian governments create poverty: Allow me to illustrate actions governments deploy that directly swell the poverty numbers. To put food on the table for their families our unemployed youths offer community services by collecting refuse from homes rather than us dumping it along the wayside. Enter the state and waste management boards and they plan to eliminate these young cart pushers and push them further into poverty. I have enjoyed the services of the cart pushers for about 10 years and I was approached by agents of a waste management board, asking me to patronise them and demarketing the cart pushers calling all of them criminals.

Same with Okada owners, another endeavour of impoverished Nigerians to earn a living and put food on the table for their families. What does the government do? Drive them off the roads and crush their okadas. Saloons or sedans are not crushed, okadas are. Then the okada owners are told to come to lease some government minibuses to have them become enslaved to the people in government.

Kiosks and sheds set up by the struggling unemployed are destroyed for aesthetic reasons, throwing the owners into penury and forgetting that finer things of life become accepted by the general public when per capita GDP crosses a threshold of about $5,000—a figure Nigeria is receding from after achieving near $3,000 per capita income. Gentlemen, peradventure you think I am an armchair critic of the government, please read earlier writings of Nigeria attaining trillion dollar status and improving our per capita income.

We saw governments dispossess people of their land, faking public use but selling to private entities. This is the reason I say we, the people, are in sync with governments in impoverishing Nigerians. The Land Use decree never handed ancestral lands to state governments, they were to mediate obtaining land for public use not to keep taking more and more land from either side of the original tract for any public road. We the people now opine that “land belongs to state governments.” The decree has not been amended and we have handed our lands to governors. Thank God the Magodo landlords were persistent and stayed on the case for almost 40 years.

The dousing of endeavours of aspiring entrepreneurs spilt over into ride-hailing apps for motorbikes. Rather than our governments encouraging nurturing hustlers into the next BUA Group chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, or the CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, our governments destroy them. They also go on to criminalise the okada riders, the cart pushers the crude oil refiners so as to hang them. Politicians now profit from the poverty they create by weaponising it. They throw crumbs at some thugs, who become their private militia. They are confident they can rabble rouse the electorate and administer stomach infrastructure on them.

These are direct ways our governments increase our poverty count individual by individual. The whole population gets impoverished by policy choices foisted on the nation. The naira, which is currently spiralling out of control, is a result of the government’s alternate economic model foisted on Nigerians by the central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele. Under the former economic orthodoxy, the naira lost 100% of its value in 16 years. Under the people-centred Emefiele model, the naira lost 400% of its value in seven and half years. Our president liked it and reappointed the CBN governor for a job well done. Meaning we are saddled with a CBN governor, whose policies worsened our currency as never seen before.

To fiscal policies that ensure poverty reign. One is our vile misconception of equating Federal Government revenues with the well-being of the larger economy. Yes, they are linked but not always positively. With our current policies, the relationship is an inverse one. Government revenue was down when they chose to borrow heavily without repairing the economy and a return to robust growth that will pay off loans. The chicken is home to roost and revenue can’t cover servicing of loans. Yet they were warned against pursuing loans with the state of our economy seven years back. Now in these hard times, I am sure fiscal authorities are thinking of more taxes, meaning more burden on people and businesses and further depression, a catch-22 situation brought by fiscal rascality. In short, if revenues go up from taxation the economy will come down.

What to do: The CBN has started to pursue a program to restore the long-term health of our currency with its RT TO 200BN NON-OIL EXPORTS that should eventually lead to the influx of hard currencies, shore up our reserves and lead to the ability to defend the naira against currency speculators. Yet for reasons best known to him, Emefiele refuses to go the whole hog, bite the bullet and eliminate arbitrage between official CBN rates and parallel markets.

Our fiscal authorities have bullets of theirs to bite. Subsidy removal was cleverly kicked down the road for the next government to deal with after being thoroughly abused and inflated beyond recognition. However, we the governed are complicit because the government was roundly hailed on each of its pauperising moves. Yes, we and our leaders walked hand in hand to receive the trophy.

Dr Jaiyesimi writes from Sagamu via jerry3jaiye@gmail.com

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Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by sweetonugbu: 2:40pm On Aug 10, 2022
Hmmmm
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by slivertongue: 2:44pm On Aug 10, 2022
Let it be made known that the Nigerian state is directly responsible for impoverishing the Nigerian people but not without the connivance of the people of Nigeria.

56 Likes 3 Shares

Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by Adedotguy: 9:18am On Aug 12, 2022
lipsrsealed
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by Mintedu: 9:18am On Aug 12, 2022
Very true
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by BigDawsNet: 9:19am On Aug 12, 2022
Nigeria is a demn rich country

But when some few people gather and decide to steal what belongs to 200m people

What do you expect?

And don't expect anything to change tommor..

If you like your self... don't carry ur bag and comot

Japa is good for the economy according to our leaders cheesy

10 Likes 1 Share

Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by IboHausaYoruba: 9:19am On Aug 12, 2022
When will you people stop all these media hogwash. Nigeria is very rich compared to most African countries. Just because others are not washing their dirty panties outside whilst we keep degrading our nation does and will never deter us Positive Thinkers from saying and praying for this great country Nigeria.

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Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by oneolajire(m): 9:20am On Aug 12, 2022
What is this man saying? Is it Okada and waste truck pushing that will eradicate poverty?

A country that ought to have 20 refineries, which will provide more than 10 million direct and indirect jobs import, sell crude oil, buy refined petroleum products and pay huge subsidy. So much waste, why won't there be poverty.

A country where we waste money on running generators culminating into high cost of running business

A country where much is wasted on trailer transportation of goods instead of using interstate railway transportation.


Poverty boosts where there is so much waste.

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Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by emmabest2000(m): 9:20am On Aug 12, 2022
there's nothing like poverty champion grin

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by Smith414: 9:21am On Aug 12, 2022
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by luvinhubby(m): 9:21am On Aug 12, 2022
Entrenched political interests & establishment politicians fighting to keep their political colonies by paying gullible youths into singing praises of their non-existent achievements is the reason these thiefing politicians are so bold and confident.
Keep nurturing poverty & illiteracy which keeps the populace in ignorance & lack which they the politicians exploit to perpetuate themselves in office.
Typical example is Tinubu & Lagos.

2023 is a generational opportunity for Nigerians to break free these thieves responsible for spreading poverty in Nigeria
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by OkCornel(m): 9:21am On Aug 12, 2022
Poverty proudly sponsored by APC...

And some clowns still want APC to continue with their impoverishment of Nigerians by propping up another scam in Tinubu.

BAT propaganda team, please answer these questions for us, bearing in mind Lagos IGR and borrowings increased significantly between 1999-2007, compared to preceding years.

1. What were the infrastructural developments initiated and concluded in Lagos under Tinubu's tenure as governor?
2. Why is Lagos today ranked amongst the worst cities to live in despite the huge IGR and borrowings? Where are these monies really going to? inflated contracts awarded to Tinubu and his cronies?
3. How has the increased IGR and borrowings translated to improvement in the standard of living of the average Lagosian?
4. Why are Tinubu's daughters purchasing properties abroad to live there permanently, instead of the Lagos their darling daddy "developed" colonized?
5. If Tinubu did an excellent job developing Lagos, why does he travel abroad for surgery and medical checkups?


Now watch how confounded BAT propagandists will drag Obi (not even Atiku) into this equation instead of answering the questions. Quietly implying they see Obi as a genuine threat.

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Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by jeromestarks: 9:22am On Aug 12, 2022
In this hard times, the last thing you need as a man is a marriage with a woman you did not disvirgin.

The day the man who disvirgined her shows up to her at the market, on Facebook, on the street, in the church or at a friend's house, that is the day she will begin to cheat on you.

You will struggle for her and her children to eat, she will struggle to prove herself to another man.

He will fvck her and you will train the children who aren't yours.
Many women today have pinned another man's children on their husbands.
Sleep with any woman you want but try to find a virgin when you want to marry. This is the surest way to having a happy home.


Nigeria is hard, it is harder for those who married non virgins.

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Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by SensualMan: 9:22am On Aug 12, 2022
All thanks to Tinubu for installing a disaster that ruined Nigeria and took Nigeria 100 years back.
During Jonathan era, Nigeria was close to rubbing shoulders with India, Philippines and the rest of the 4th world countries.

Today, Tinubu and Buhari has made Nigeria to to be among the 5th World countries in comparison to Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Niger. Unfortunately theses are the countries Nigeria can rub shoulder with.

With all the national and human resources at Nigeria's disposal no jupiter on earth could have stopped Nigeria from attaining a 3rd world status country but today the story is different.

Tinubu is a disaster to humanity. We can take a road down the lane to study how Tinubu underdeveloped Lagos.

All hope is not yet lost, President Obi will put Nigeria where it rightly belongs amongst the 3rd world countries. From a consumer nation to a producer nation.

On Mallam Peter Obi mandate I stand Gidigba!

8 Likes

Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by DropsMic(m): 9:22am On Aug 12, 2022
We have all it takes to be a world power, resources – both Natural and human, the only thing holding us back is just stupidity and lack of patriotism. Coincidentally every black country on earth is also battling the same thing.

1 Like

Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by Realist12: 9:23am On Aug 12, 2022
Nigeria has been retrogressive from each consecutive administration right from Obasanjo but same cannot be said about Lagos, Lagos is progressive. Why not employ the man that laid the legacy and created the path for the growth at the presidential level.
His plans have been successful in the mini Nigeria.
Lagos is a Mini Nigeria with all the attributes of the country in one state, over population, wealth and multi ethnicity yet it's progressive , Tinubu was able to reform the state and lay down solid road map for the future of the state and every tribe, resident and investors were carried along , everybody had a sense of belonging and responsibility. They are seeing the wonders done with their taxes . The job of successive administrators was easier coz they had a road map . If we don't vote Tinubu we are not ready for the growth we are yearning for tbh. Asides the will to impact positively only him has the capacity to carry out solid reforms and carry every stake holder along .He has done his homework.

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Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by AOresources: 9:23am On Aug 12, 2022
Nigeria would surely get to its promise land

Are you a driver or partner in abuja, kindly check this for updates

https://www.nairaland.com/7276973/abuja-uber-bolt-matchmaking-thread
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by Primusinterpares(m): 9:23am On Aug 12, 2022
Pathetic ... For a consumer based economy... What do you expect.
What happened?
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by Chetas81(m): 9:23am On Aug 12, 2022
UNTIL YOU NIGERIANS BEGIN TO LIVE BY KNOWLEDGE INSTEAD OF LIVING IN THE HOLY BOOKS SCRIPTURE ___ ADVANCED COUNTRY SEPARATED FROM LIVING ON THE SCRIPTURE OF THE HOLY BOOKS

3 Likes

Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by Hndrrxxx(m): 9:24am On Aug 12, 2022
Rdd
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by wittywriter: 9:26am On Aug 12, 2022
Thanks to incompetent past & Present cluelessly useless leaders.


© Wittyness
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by kellyzaf(m): 9:27am On Aug 12, 2022

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Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by Lemmy123(m): 9:28am On Aug 12, 2022
Even people wey don learn the skills wey them dey shout up and down here for Nairaland still dey collect wotowoto, I'm a living witness embarassed

I just dey collect since 2 months now... Most of my customers na here them dey, so if them no give you work, you go work for yourself?.. And please, don't quote me with motivational speeches...

Check my signature below, thanks
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by kingscare1(m): 9:28am On Aug 12, 2022
God help us


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Call or WhatsApp - 09035464082 or check my profile for more pictures
Re: How Nigeria Became Poverty Champions By Dr Jaiyesimi by tommy589(m): 9:29am On Aug 12, 2022
Devaluation brought us to our knees. No okada riders in the 80s,same with cart pushers. Many industries were springing up daily,most were working three shift. Why degrading yourself to be a cart pusher when you can easily be employed as a factory worker?

Coup attempt penalty alone is death. As a way to reward themselves for their years of just being footmen to all successful coup,Babangida and his gangs collected IMF loan, to steal and pay themselves upfront with the attached condition of naira devaluation

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