Wilson Badejo, a retired clergyman has called for collaborative efforts by the church, government and not-for-profit organisations in reducing the high burden of poverty in Nigeria, especially the youth population that is languishing in self-help as Nigerians continue to adjust to the economic realities in the country.
“The major issue is that the youth in our country are languishing; the church would have loved to do more, and we want to complement their efforts,” said Badejo, the founder/chairman of the Wilson Badejo Foundation and general overseer emeritus of Foursquare Gospel Church, at the 12th annual celebration of the foundation, held recently in Lagos with the theme ‘Nigeria and the High Rise of Poverty: Seeking Economic Salvation for Today’s Youth’.
According to Badejo, the youth population is the strength of the nation and must not be allowed to waste away. “We will do our best in our little corner to encourage them, we do not just give the money; we encourage and counsel you to assure you that there is still hope at the end of the tunnel.
“God helping us, we will continue to give people hope that all is not lost; we cry when we see people committing suicide, jumping into the ocean, and we think it should not be so. We are not limiting ourselves to universities; we are looking at colleges of education, college of technologies, and we are also looking out to bible colleges to increase godly men in our midst,” said Badejo.
John Osa-Oni, the presiding archbishop of Vineyard Christian Ministries said education is one of the ways to alleviate poverty, stating that an educated mind is directly equipped for a greater future in life. “…that is what we also learn from the missionaries that came; they didn’t just come with the message of salvation, they came with the message of education so that everybody can improve their lifestyle,” he stated.
The clergyman also opined that the solution to Nigeria’s mirage of problems is a national conference, which he has been advocating for in the 25 years. “We need a national conference, and there is nothing wrong if Nigeria can split into seven nations if that is the solution; but there has to be a seating of all the youth, middle class, lower class, and the upper class for everyone of us to be able to contribute our views to the onslaught that is going on in the nation. We all can see it wasn’t like this before and it’s getting worse,” said Osa-Oni.
Owei Lakemfa, the guest speaker, posits that education is vital in lifting people out of poverty, hence, the need to build rounded citizenry and skills, thereby making politics economically unattractive; and return Nigeria to path of productivity.
According to Lakemfa, who titled his speech as ‘Nigeria: a long prayer searching for amen,’ the basis of government is security and welfare of the people. “You cannot combat poverty in Nigeria without a social safety system,” he said.
Lakemfa posits that Abuja, the nation’s capital is surrounded by troubled states; hence, the high level of insurgency in Nigeria. According to him, a country that exports job will import poverty, stating that underdevelopment is a disease.
SEYI JOHN SALAU
