Gyang Bere, Jos
Human Right Activist, Comrade Shamaki Gad Peter, has challenged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal government to cultivate a saving habit to address the overwhelming challenges of poverty in the country.
He regretted that President Buhari rode to power in 2015 on the goodwill of the masses bust had not invest enough in the lives of the poor people.
Peter disclosed this on Friday during a one-day community dialogue on Advocacy Strategy to improve Public Awareness on Nigerian Saving Stabilisation Mechanism organised by Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights (CAJR), held in Jos, Plateau State.
He recalled that President Olusegun Obasanjo saved a lot of funds from the Excess Crude Account but was depleted by late Umar Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari administrations.
“It is time for the Nigeria government to cultivate the culture of saving to tackle poverty and improve the standard of living of the masses in the country. President Muhammadu Buhari came into power through the masses but he has not invested enough to carter for the need of the masses.
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“Approximately 83. 6 million people in Nigeria, estimated at 43 percent live in extreme poverty. Some states and local government are still burdened by debt especially from outstanding salaries owed to workers.
“Apart from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, no president has brought meaningful Investment in Nigeria. Instead of government to invest in bettering the lives of the citizen, it is investing into buying of arms and ammunitions.”
Comrade Peter urged Nigerians to activate the saving culture at their individual level to enable them wage war against the looming poverty that is overwhelming the country.
He noted that the country has failed to effectively manage revenue earned from oil and gas which has delayed the country’s transition from developing economy to an advanced one.
The acting Director of Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Right (CAJR), Etty Peter, said it is time for Nigerian citizens to lead the crusade on the need for govern at all levels to cultivate the culture of saving to take care of the poor masses.