Global Citizen urges private sector participation to end extreme poverty in Nigeria

As part of efforts to secure new commitments from world leaders in ending extreme poverty by 2030 especially in Africa, Global Citizen, has urged the private sector to remain committed to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through resource mobilisation.

In Nigeria, the private sector pledged to invest in healthcare by providing 774 Primary Healthcare Centres across the country.

At a recent policy forum in Lagos, convened by the Global Citizen to present the policy objectives for Global Goal Live tagged: “The Possible Dream Campaign” to the public and private sector including the media and civil society,
stakeholders stated that the private sector should be involved in ending extreme poverty by 2030, by driving strong commitment needed to achieve the SDGs.

The Possible Dream Campaign was launched by Global Citizen in partnership with Teneo, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September, 2019

The campaign in Nigeria seeks to generate billions of naira to achieve the global goals for the country, while the Global citizen is a global movement for citizen-led actions to eradicate poverty and to improve human living conditions.

Speaking on the movement’s activity in Nigeria in 2020 in mobilising resources to tackle poverty, particularly the September 26 largest live broadcast event taking place in Lagos, Global Citizen Nigeria Chairman, Tunde Folawiyo, said: “Achieving Nigeria’s pledge to lift 100 million people out of poverty in the next decade will only be possible if the public sector, private sector and civil society collaborate closely. A co-ordinated, multi-stakeholder approach is essential”

Reports show that despite the positive global trend, poverty rates in Africa have increased as two-thirds of those living in extreme poverty globally live in Africa.

Going by the current rates, experts say the continent would account for 90% of all individuals living in extreme poverty with Nigeria topping the list of African countries where rates of poverty are increasing by 2030. Already, six people fall into extreme poverty every minute.

Current estimates put the number of people living in extreme poverty in Nigeria at 89 million, even as the Federal Government pledged to lift 100 million people out of extreme poverty over the next 10 years.

In his remarks, Global Citizen Nigeria Vice Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said: “The government alone cannot deliver the resources we need to win the fight against extreme poverty. We must create multiple entry points to allow local and global influencers come together and make a difference. “Innovative financing models, creative partnerships and new technology is what this movement needs to end poverty if we must deliver”.

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Also speaking at the event, Global Citizen Co-Founder, Mick Sheldrick, said the world needs $350b annually, “if we are to end extreme poverty and achieve the Global Goals in the 59 poorest countries by 2030.”

“And as we’ve seen, each year we do not meet this cost, more people will fall into poverty and the cost of inaction will go up. That’s why 2020 must be a year of urgency where we remind the world’s governments and businesses of the budget gap facing the goals, they all signed up for.
“We look forward to working with the Nigerian private sector to help drive progress towards the goals.”

The policy forum was also attended by Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Adviser to the President President on the Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Paulin Basinga, Country Director, Gates Foundation, Mr. Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mrs. Solape Hammond, Acting Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Lagos State.

Others were Yebeltal Getachew, Manging Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria and Olakunle Oloruntimehin, General Manager, Cisco Nigeria.