BY AUGUSTINE AVWODE
President Muhammadu Buhari said on Saturday morning that his administration has lifted 10.5 million Nigerians out of poverty in the last two years.
He stated this in his nationwide broadcast to Nigerians to mark the 2021 Democracy Day.
Buhari said government interventions over the past six years were targeted mostly at the agricultural, services, infrastructure, power and health care sectors of the economy.
He enumerated his government’s achievements in agricultural sector, economy, efforts made to eradicate poverty and change the infrastructural deficit narrative among others.
He, however, admitted that a lot still has to be done.
“I will be the first to admit that in spite of our efforts and achievements which are there for all to see, there is still much more to be done and we are doing our best in the face of scarce resources and galloping population growth rate that consistently outstrips our capacity to provide jobs for our populace.
“Our overall economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.
“In the last two years, we lifted 10.5 million people out of poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women and the like.
“I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and this informed the development of a National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy will be unveiled shortly.”
Buhari further said, “My commitment to bequeathing a sustainable democratic culture remains resolute, my pursuit of a fair society remains unshaken and my desire to see that Nigeria remains a country for each and every one of us has never been stronger.
” In responding to the challenges that this period imposes on us, Government also recognises the need to acknowledge notions of marginalisation and agitations for constitutional amendments among various segments of our population.
“While this government is not averse to constitutional reform as part of our nation building process, everyone must understand that the primary responsibility for constitutional amendments lies with the National Assembly”, he said, among others in the 60 paragraph address.