High level of Poverty

HIGH LEVEL OF POVERTY IN AFRICA


Taking out the gun out of the glove compartment of your car may not be enough weapon to wipe out the monster standing right before the car in question. Most times, such predicament initiates a hallucination showcasing a moment at which the car windscreen is being shrouded in mist thereby resulting to a false accusation against the innocent climate. Even the holy beings that constantly and consistently embrace the holy writ had also fell victim of such circumstance. What a vulnerability!

Brethren, the continual skilful exploitation of the above weakness (vulnerability) by the elements in disguise remains a sole constituent of the ongoing grievous socio-political nightmares, such as prostitution, election rigging, rape, child abuse, just to mention a few.

The state at which people of a particular country or race has very little money or few possessions is occurring with a high increase rate in Nigeria. Other African countries are not left out in this deadly disease. This issue of poverty is really digging deep on our socio-economic platform, therefore, should not be taken for granted.

According to the poverty line drawn by the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) as one US dollar ($1) per day. That is, every average individual in the world is expected to spend at least one dollar in a day. This implies that, anyone who spends less than one dollar in a day is considered to be poor. Thus, if a proper measure is taken, we will find out that over seventy nine percent (79%) of the Nigerian populace are poor. Most of them don’t just live below the poverty line which is one USD per day, but spend less than half of it (#75) in two days. This set of people are known to be vulnerable.

A vulnerable person is weak and without protection, therefore, could be easily hurt physically, emotionally, or mentally. Vulnerability state of a person is a situation that can lead to so many intimidations or hazards in all aspects of his/her life. Such person can easily be used by the so-called high class members to achieve their selfish interest or personal desires in many areas of life. That is, they can be influenced by any wealthy or influential person. They maybe cajoled into any dirty occupation or assignment, after which they would be paid a token sum of money. Sometimes, the female ones among them end-up being raped by some nasty citizens. In other words, a vulnerable person is exposed to many kinds of illnesses or diseases due to lack of gastronomic incentives, and the practice of settling in an unsanitized environment. And, anyone of them attacked by any disease might end-up in the grave due to lack of sufficient money to take care of him/herself. Most times, some of the medical doctors/personnel in various hospitals would choose to remain adamant of such situation and will never care to render a humanitarian service to these less-privileged individuals.

Above all, most of these vulnerable persons end-up indulging in various social vices such as begging in disguise and prostitution to earn for their living. The children amongst them may also not be sent to the school by their respective parents because of lack of sufficient money to cater for their tuition fees and/or other academic requirements. This circumstance is one of the major causes of the high increase rate of illiteracy in Africa. Furthermore, some of these persons may suddenly become insane when being infected by any disease(s) that is not properly treated, especially the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). In a nutshell, poverty has silenced most of the available manpower in Africa, Nigeria in particular. Thus, could be referred to as a grievous developmental hindrance.

I humbly solicit that, hospitals/clinics should be established in all nooks and crannies of the country, coupled with adequate health facilities. Also, free education ought to be granted to the poor or less-privileged by the state and federal governments. The philanthropists should also help in actualizing this goal. I must confess, so far from my humble observation, the Rochas Okorocha’s administration in Imo State is really trying in regard to this. But, more effort need to be put to ascertain enormous success.

Please, let something drastic be done by the respective governments to alleviate these hostile and deadly situations. The previous editions on “Scentic Scenarios” should be re-visited/considered in regard to the alleviation mentioned above. ‘A stitch in time saves nine”.



FDN NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com