Poverty on the Road at Ijebu-Ijesa of Osun

By Jide Afolabi

Nigeria is a blessed nation but with high level of poverty. A rating agency, Fitch International in its 2016 evaluation report on economic performance of some countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East indicated a rising poverty level jumping from 60 per cent in 2015 to 72 per cent in the second quarter of 2016.

This was corroborated by a poverty report published by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, which pegged about 112 million Nigerians (representing 67.1 per cent) of the country’s total population living below poverty line. Over 70 per cent Nigerians today, lives below $0.50 (153 naira) per day.

Poverty level in urban areas of the country is better, compared to rural areas. This is so because, facilities accessible in urban areas are not available in rural areas.

A trip to any Nigerian rural community would give one a squalid state of our people in the grassroots. Poverty is not only visible there but walking stark naked.

Someone recently narrated a gory and disturbing story of a boy he saw while driving through Ijebu-Ijesa – a lively and blissful rural area in Osun state.

The apparently dejected little boy was seen crossing the road alone as if abandoned to bear the burden of whatever ill, fate has visited upon him. He exclaimed; “This cannot be real” in a community that has government institutions, high profile personalities, top politicians, business moguls, and unnumbered NGOs (both local and international).

Often, many of us have only seen children in such parlous conditions only on television and the social media, but never at close sight. We hardly believe that some people, especially, women and children we see in war ravaged zones, desolate and devastated spaces on televisions actually exists in Nigeria of 21st century. Sights of unfortunate scenes like this could only draw tears from ones eyes. Unfortunately, most of us just continue with our routine engagements and no one cares.

Then, one wonders; what kind of people are we? What kind of society are we building? How can our children be living in such parlous state and we pretend as if all is well?

Of course, the security and welfare of the people is the primary responsibility of the government all over the world. However, governments at various levels have failed in this responsibility and people have maintained a ‘sit don look’ attitude towards the situation yet, we all desire a peaceful nation and world.

More disturbing is the misplaced priorities of most non governmental organisations (NGOs), philanthropists and donor agencies who place premium on the elites than these poor children and women who are victims of the ruling elites.

The tears that this poor boy draws from ones eyes is a wake up call to all of us, to play our little role towards amelioration of the sufferings of these innocent children and reduction of extreme poverty in the country.

We have to reawaken the humanity in us and critically look at the threats that the neglect of these poor children poses to the future of this country. These are our tomorrow’s Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello. Let us show concerns and care, no matter how little.