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Tag: Poverty

  • Subsidy removal: Over 7.1 million Nigerians may enter extreme poverty – World Bank warns

    Subsidy removal: Over 7.1 million Nigerians may enter extreme poverty – World Bank warns

    Following the removal of fuel subsidy, the World Bank has disclosed that over 7.1 million Nigerians may enter extreme poverty if the federal government fails to provide palliative measures.

    The World Bank disclosed this in its June 2023 edition of the Nigeria Development Update on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Recall that President Bola Tinubu introduced some economic policies, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange window unification, resulting in a hike in the cost of transportation and prices of goods and services.

    The World Bank report on Nigeria Development Update noted that if no measures were implemented to cushion the rising 22.41 per cent inflation, insecure households will lose at least 5,700 income monthly.

    “The poor and economically insecure households will face an equivalent income loss of N5,700 per month, and without compensation, an additional 7.1 million people will be pushed into poverty”, the report stated.

    The World Bank warned that many newly poor and economically insecure households will likely resort to consequential coping mechanisms, such as “not sending children to school, or not going to the health facilities to seek preventative healthcare or cutting back on nutritious dietary choices.”

     

  • As Nigerians swim in poverty, retiring Govs expect opulent pensions – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    As Nigerians swim in poverty, retiring Govs expect opulent pensions – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    JUST AS IT WAS YESTERDAY SO IT IS TODAY – THE WAY THE NIGERIAN POLITICAL ELITE LEADERSHIP CRUMBLES.

    I did promise on air a week ago of publishing the jumbo severance packages the out-going governors created for themselves by law, with full collaboration of their States Houses of Assembly. I fully fulfilled that promise last week. 

    In today’s exercise, I am going retrospectively into the beginning of this Fourth Republic and to show how political leaders of then did it. It is then that you can understand that this badge of “incorruptible Governors – s club of Saints”, so to call them, inherited from their forefathers. So, as it was in the beginning [from 1999], so it is today. 

    The current leaders inherited much of their rotten character from their predecessors. Who shall reform this vicious circle of corrupt leadership in Nigeria therefore? Only times shall tell!

    From jumbo pay to jumbo pensions.

    Many Nigerians have accepted their ‘fate’ when it comes to the ostentatious lifestyle that many public office holders – elected or otherwise – lead. Whether they are lawmakers that swim in rivers of jumbo pay, or the President and governors that loom too large on public treasures, many government officials have become gods onto themselves.

    While they spend public funds the way they like when in office, the story is now taking another dimension. It is now becoming a norm for them to orchestrate for themselves a pension scheme that, many Nigerians fear, will make the state to be in servitude to them forever.

    THE CASE OF GOVERNOR GODSWILL AKPABIO IN AKWA IBOM

    A pension bill the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, recently signed into law is a classic example. The provisions of the bill are so enticing and, at the same time, wild, in the thinking of many people that it has sparked widespread outrage. The bill, as passed, provides a former governor a pension for life at a rate equivalent to the salary of a serving governor.

    It also empowers a former governor to employ a cook, chauffeur and security guards at a sum up to N5m per month and N2.5m for the deputy.

    According to the bill, the former governor will also be entitled to free medical services for his person and spouse at a sum not exceeding N100m per annum and N50m for a former deputy governor. The bill also provides for the former governor a befitting accommodation not below a five-bed room maisonette in either Abuja or Akwa Ibom State.

    Besides, it awards a yearly accommodation allowance of 300 per cent of annual basic salary to the deputy governor while the former governor would also receive a severance gratuity of 300 per cent of his annual basic salary as of the time he leaves office. The law adds that the state will bear the cost of funeral of ex-governors while condolence allowance – equivalent to the salary – will be paid to his next of kin.

    Perhaps to be a little fair to Akpabio, whose state is one of the richest states, but arguably with one of the highest number of unemployed in the country, he is. But the one he recently approved has been declared as the most despicable in the country.

    Akpabio’s predecessor, Obong Victor Attah, had, a year after he came into office, initiated such an executive pension bill now ‘standardised’by his successor.

    THE CASE OF GOVERNOR BUKOLA SARAKI IN KWARA STATE

    Also, shortly before leaving office as the Governor of Kwara State, Sen. Bukola Saraki sent a bill to the State House of Assembly on how he would like to be treated after leaving office.

    The bill, which was later passed into law, states that any person who held office as an elected governor or deputy governor shall be entitled to the payment of pension at the rate equivalent to the annual basic salary of the incumbent governor or deputy governor and get other benefits as provided by the revenue mobilisation allocation and fiscal commission.

    It also adds that the governor and his deputy shall, upon the successful completion of his or her term, be entitled to a grant of pension for life by the state unless he is impeached. Other provisions are that the sum payable as pension shall be charged upon the consolidated revenue fund of the state and that the total emolument of the public office holder shall include salary, allowance and fringe benefits as contained in the law.

    While the law provides that the state shall offer one residential house each for the former governor and deputy at any location of their choice in state, it goes further to say that it must provide a residential house in the Federal Capital Territory for any former governor that has served two consecutive terms.

    On vacation, the former governor is entitled to 30 days annual holiday outside Nigeria, with 30 days estacodes and travel allowances.

    Besides getting travel expenses and allowance, the governor is entitled to three cars in addition to having one pilot and two backup cars to be replaced every three years. He is also entitled to furniture allowance every two years. The money, according to the law, is to be paid en bloc.

    The state will also provide him domestic staff such as the cook, steward, unspecified number of drivers and gardener, who shall be pensionable. The governor and his deputy as well as members of their immediate families are also entitled to free medical treatment.

    On security, the state will provide two operatives of the State Security Service for the former governor and one female officer, one SSS detail for the former deputy governor. The former governor will also have eight policemen (one each for house and personal security), while his deputy will have two policemen (one each for house and personal security).

    THE CASE OF GOVERNOR ROTIMI AMAECHI IN RIVERS STATE

    The same scenario is playing out in Rivers State, where the Public Office Holders Bill is in operation. Apart from receiving 100 per cent of their basic salaries as pensions, the bill, which has been signed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, provides two houses each for former governors and their deputies in the state. One of the houses will be built in Abuja, while the other will be constructed in any part of the state. The buildings are to be furnished by the state government.

    Other benefits are three cars each for the ex-governors and their deputies, which will be replaced every three years; free medical treatment for former chief executives and members of their immediate families; provision of cooks, drivers, stewards, gardeners and other domestic workers, who are also to earn pensions after retirement.

    On the security of former governors and their deputies in the state that prides itself as Treasure Base of the nation, over eight security operatives, including employees of the SSS, will be provided for them.

    Like Goje like Tinubu

    Before leaving office, the former Governor of Gombe State, who is now a senator, Danjuma Goje, equally secured his future by making sure that a pension scheme that would last the lifetime of former governors was worked out for him and his deputy at the end of their tenure. Goje was said to have paid himself and his deputy N300m as executive pension benefits before leaving office.

    A few days before leaving office as the Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu signed the Lagos State Law No. 11 of 2007, which gives pension to any former governor who completed two terms an amount equivalent to the exact salary paid to the sitting governor. This is plus 300 per cent of his or her basic salary as furniture allowance.

    In addition, the law provides choice houses, bullet-proof cars to be renewed every three years; eight policemen and two SSS details, entertainment, car maintenance, house maintenance, personal assistants, and utility allowances, among others. He is also entitled to two houses, one in Lagos and the other in Abuja.

    THE CASE OF GOVERNOR ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE IN EDO STATE

    Unfortunately, many of these governors are usually angry when Organised Labour agitates for increment in salary as they complain of lack of funds to implement such. The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, who is a former labour leader, is very much aware of this syndrome.

    The governor, who shared his experience when he addressed members of the Committee on Civil Society, Labour, Youths and Sports of the national conference in Abuja, said some governors were usually angry with him over his stand on the minimum wage. He said some of his colleagues had once asked him to stop talking like a labour leader, but like a governor because of his stand on the matter. He said unlike some of the other governors, he would never support the agitation that the minimum wage should be removed from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List.

    Oshiomhole, a former President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, said it would be a shame for the country if over 30 years after the Minimum Wage Act was enacted by the administration of former President Shehu Shagari, some elected officers would now be canvassing its abrogation.

    Although details of his state’s pension scheme were not available to our correspondent as of 8pm press time on Wednesday, he said there was no way the governors and other political office holders could benefit from the laws made by the Federal Government, which, he said, empowered the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission to fix their salaries, and yet they would want to deny others the same benefit. Oshiomhole told the members of the committee, which included the Deputy President of the NLC, Mr. Isa Aremu, to resist any move that would make Nigerian workers to lose that benefit.

    Feeble resistance

    It is not that there is no opposition to the bills before they are passed. However some of those who opposed them did so casually or with caution. For example, in Akwa Ibom State, the state chapter of the NLC, which had promised to march to the State House of Assembly in order to prevail on its members from passing the bill, failed to do so. The NLC state Chairman, Mr. Unyime Usoro, who had promised that the union would embark on a protest to dissuade the House from passing the bill, was unable to march his word with action.

    Also, some aggrieved persons in Kwara State, under the aegis of Kwara State Stakeholders Forum, in a petition to both the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offices Commission and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, had said that the bill must be investigated.

    Signed by Chief Wole Oke, Mr. Kunle Sulyman, and Comrade Bisi Fakayode on behalf of the forum, the petition read, “The bill is heartless and shows no trait whatsoever of concern and compassion for the people of the sate, the preponderance of whom are peasant farmers who find it really difficult to even pay for the university education of a single child in an average family of four children. The bill is callous and very insensitive to the welfare needs of the people.”

    Self-centred all the way

    The provisions of most of the laws suggest that they were made to serve individuals. For example, a section of the law in Kwara State provides that “Subject to the provision of section 1(1) of this law, any person who has held office as governor or deputy governor from 1999 shall be entitled to this pension scheme.”

    The implication of this is that only Saraki is benefiting from the law. This is because, under the current Fourth Republic, Admiral Mohammed Lawal (retd) ruled the state for four years before he was defeated by Saraki in 2003. Lawal, who would have benefitted from the bill, is dead.

    Those who have ruled the state before – Alhaji Adamu Atta (he died only recently), who was the first democratically elected governor of the state, and his deputy, Alhaji Jimoh Shittu, were not beneficiaries of the law. So also is Chief Cornelius Adebayo, who defeated Atta in the governorship election of 1983. He was in office until the military took over on December 30, 1983. He is also not benefitting from the scheme. Even Alhaji Shaaba Lafiagi, who was sworn in as the third executive governor of the state in January 1992, and was in office till November 17, 1993 when the army took over, is also not benefiting from the initiative.

    Also, under item D of the law, it asked for “one residential house in the FCT for the governor of two consecutive terms.” Saraki remains the only person who has served two terms as governor of the state.

    Akpabio’s explanation

    Following the growing criticisms that have greeted the passage of the bill, Akpabio has laboured to justify this passage. The governor said that the law had been in existence since 2000 and that it “was meant to block loopholes and check abuses of the open-ended privileges extended to former chief executives and their deputies. With the signing of this law, it supersedes the existing law passed by the previous administration, which had been in existence since year 2000.

    “The Nigerian constitution empowers the State Houses of Assembly to make laws for the wellbeing of their people. This law was made in 2000 and was amended in 2006 and is now being amended in 2014.The new law states that all members of staff of the former governors should not earn more than N5m annually and members of staff of former deputy governors should not earn more than N2m annually.

    “No former governor can spend more than N100m in a year for medical expenses and no former deputy governor can spend more than N50m for medical expenses. For the widows of former governors, they would receive a minimum of N1m monthly for medical expenses and N500,000 for the widows of former deputy governors.”

    He was, however, silent on whether former governors of the state – like Victor Atta – had been benefiting from the old law before his new amendment.

    Because the anger sparked by the move has continued to spread, Akpabio has decided to make referred portions of the bill to the legislators, for amendment. He was quoted to have noted at a briefing in Lagos on Tuesday that people were misinterpreting the contents of the law.

    Amaechi also defended the bill in his state, saying the best way to prevent corruption on the part of the governors was to allow them to have pensions after leaving office. He did not however speak on how much such pension ought to be.

    ‘Wicked, audacious provisions’

    Akpabio’s excuse and explanation were however not considered enough to justify the huge pension by a civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project. The group described the legislation in a statement as “immoral, unfair, unconstitutional, unreasonable, and a rip-off on a massive scale”.

    The statement, signed by SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, said, “Akwa Ibom must be the only place on the planet where such a pension scheme exists. Governor Godswill Akpabio must now put Akwa Ibom ahead of his own personal bank balance by immediately withdrawing this bill.”

    A former senator from Akwa Ibom State, Effiong Bob, agreed with SERAP. Bob, a close friend of Akpabio, said the bill “contained wicked and audacious provisions that right-thinking members of the society are still wondering under what influence it was passed by the House.”

    The senator wondered why the governor was convenient with the provision of N130m annual health benefits for him and his deputy after leaving office, adding that N1.3bn would be paid out by the time the state has 10 surviving former governors and deputies.

    He said, “What kind of sickness are we envisaging here? This is completely out of harmony with decency. Imagine a situation where we have up to 10 former governors and deputies in the state. They will drain the state of a cool N1.3bn a year. This is unfair and unacceptable.”

    On Amaechi’s claim, Idris Jamiu, a civil servant in Abuja, said the governor should remember that many of his former colleagues are currently undergoing trial for corruption.

    “In fact, two of them, Lucky Igbinedion and DSP Alamieseigha, were convicted even though the latter was later pardoned. So, that excuse is not acceptable,” Jamiu said.

    Even in jail, Ibori gets his pension

    It may sound funny to many Nigerians. But that is the truth: A former Governor of Delta State jailed for corruption and money laundering, Chief James Ibori, is still collecting pension from his state.

    About two years ago, the politician currently serving a 13-year jail term in the United Kingdom was paid N50m, an action condemned by the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders.

    Its Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran, noted that paying such a pension to Ibori amounts to rewarding corruption and encouraging its perpetrators.

    The state, through its Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, however defended the action, saying the N50m was Ibori’s pension entitlements and other benefits.

    “The truth is that like every other elected governor, who has served the state, Ibori was paid his pension entitlement and other benefits alongside his deputy under the existing state’s law,” the commissioner had said.

    Lucky former Presidents

    In Nigeria, all former heads of state or presidents and their deputies also earn the same salaries with the incumbents. They are also entitled to personal staff and other emoluments.

    For example, a former president is entitled to a staffer not below the rank of a chief administrative officer in the federal civil service and a personal secretary not below level 12, four policemen and one SSS operative.

    He is to be bought three vehicles every four years and the nation is to provide the drivers. He is also to receive free medical services with members of his immediate family and another 30 days’ vacation in or outside the country at the Federal Government’s expense.

    Besides, he or she is to be provided with office accommodation anywhere he wants – with a well-furnished five-bedroom house anywhere he desires in the country.

    His deputy, upon leaving office, is also entitled to two policemen, one SSS operative, two vehicles with drivers, free medical services and three-bedroom house in the city of his choice.

    The families of deceased ex-presidents and vice-presidents are also entitled to an annual payment for upkeep of their spouse(s) and education of their children up to the university level. According to the pension law enacted by the National Assembly, this spousal upkeep allowance will cease the moment the last spouse of the deceased passes on. However, those removed from office by impeachment are not entitled to the generous offers.

    A peep into NASS’s pension package

    The National Assembly has, on its part, also provided pensions for its leadership. This led to the alteration of Section 84 (new subsection 5a) of the constitution (clause 8), which hitherto provided for only the former presidents and their deputies.

    The new section reads, “Any person who has held office as President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall be entitled to pension for life at a rate equivalent to the annual salary of the incumbent President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

    For the former Senate President and members of his family who are below 18 years are entitled to a policeman, a vehicle, a driver, free medical services. He is to enjoy 39 days annual leave at the expense of the Federal Government, 30 days annual leave in or outside the country and a five-bedroom house. Only those removed from office by impeachment are not eligible for the benefits.

    The same entitlements are for the deputy senate president and the speaker, with just a minor reduction. Severance gratuity for each Senator stands at N6.09m, while a member of the House of Representatives gets N5.956m.

     

    Source:

    This author gathered researched materials from different sources, which included Newspapers, Magazines and other Media platforms.

  • Workers Day: Gov Adeleke speaks on antidote to poverty

    Workers Day: Gov Adeleke speaks on antidote to poverty

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun says to address poverty and underdevelopment in the society, public servants must be accorded better treatment.

    Adeleke stated this during the Workers’ Day celebrations, held at Osogbo township stadium on Monday.

    According to him, when public servants are cared for, the informal sector fares better.

    He said that a very happy public service would automatically translate into a booming economy.

    Adeleke said that his administration was focussing on workers’ welfare because that was the right thing to do.

    “There is a strong link between the formal and informal workforce in Osun State.

    “When the formal workforce, the public servants, are cared for, the informal sector fares better.

    “A very happy public service translates into a booming local economy across the state”, he  said.

    The governor also said that his administration would continue to be committed to workers’ welfare.

    “Since I took over under a very hostile environment, I have remained committed to that goal of workers’ first.

    “You can all attest to my faithfulness in resolving inherited challenges on workers’ salaries and pensions.

    “I have demonstrated good faith as a leader with genuine love of workers at heart.

    “You will always find in me a governor that is responsive and open to the wellbeing of labour.

    “Be rest assured that our administration will not waiver in restoring the integrity and professionalism of the public service,” he said.

    Adeleke added that he had also taken judicious note of all the requests and demands contained in the addresses delivered by labour unions.

    “This administration is yours. I assure you that all your points are well noted”, he said.

  • Better treatment of workers antidote to poverty, under-devt. – Adeleke

    Better treatment of workers antidote to poverty, under-devt. – Adeleke

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun says to address poverty and underdevelopment in society, public servants must be accorded better treatment.

    Adeleke stated this during the Workers’ Day celebrations, held at Osogbo township stadium on Monday.

    According to him, when public servants are cared for, the informal sector fares better.

    He said that a very happy public service would automatically translate into a booming economy.

    Adeleke said that his administration was focussing on workers’ welfare because that was the right thing to do.

    “There is a strong link between the formal and informal workforce in Osun State.

    “When the formal workforce, the public servants, are cared for, the informal sector fares better.

    “A very happy public service translates into a booming local economy across the state”, he  said.

    The governor also said that his administration would continue to be committed to workers’ welfare.

    “Since I took over under a very hostile environment, I have remained committed to that goal of workers’ first.

    “You can all attest to my faithfulness in resolving inherited challenges on workers’ salaries and pensions.

    “I have demonstrated good faith as a leader with genuine love of workers at heart.

    “You will always find in me a governor that is responsive and open to the wellbeing of labour.

    “Be rest assured that our administration will not waiver in restoring the integrity and professionalism of the public service,” he said.

    Adeleke added that he had also taken judicious note of all the requests and demands contained in the addresses delivered by labour unions.

    “This administration is yours. I assure you that all your points are well noted”, he said.

  • Energy poverty has to be tackled headlong – Osinbajo

    Energy poverty has to be tackled headlong – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says energy poverty has to be tackled headlong for African countries to attain middle-income status and an inclusive prosperity for its people.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the vice president delivered a Special Public Lecture at the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN) in Philadelphia, U.S.

    The vice president spoke on the title “Energy Transition in Africa.”

    Osinbajo outlined specific pathways that would lead to climate-positive economic growth on the continent and at the same time lead to the realisation of the global net-zero emissions targets.

    “Africa’s endowments, renewable energy, natural resources and a young workforce, present a compelling set of circumstances for several pathways to climate-positive growth.

    “Low emissions consumption and production, the point being that Africa can, instead of going the carbon-intensive path to providing energy, goods and services for its own needs, take full advantage of green technologies and practices.

    “There is the distinct advantage that Africa can actually pursue a green course of growth without worrying about costly legacy infrastructure.”

    The vice president said that second pathway had to do with the recognition that global zero carbon ambitions could be realised without intentional carbon removal technologies and practices.

    He said that Africa could ramp up her own potential to do it at scale through a combination of planned land use and ecosystem management, and investment in emerging engineered removal technologies.

    “The third pathway is that, with its abundant reserves of renewable energy and raw materials, Africa can become a hugely competitive green manufacturing and energy hub for the world that could also accelerate the greening of global industry.

    “Thus, the paradox of an energy-poor continent becoming the green industrial powerhouse of the world is easily resolvable and must be.”

    The vice president proposed that the developed world change its perception of Africa.

    He charged that the continent should not be seen merely as a victim but as a solution in the climate change conversations and the attainment of the global net zero targets by 2050-2060.

    On energy poverty,  Osinbajo argued that it could only be resolved if there was a significant investment in renewable energy.

    “And that can only happen if we create the energy intense anchor demand that makes the investment in additional renewable energy bankable.

    “Therefore, it is not which comes first – renewable energy generation capacity or industrial deployment, both must be developed concurrently.”

    Osinbajo also spoke on Africa’s dependence on its oil and gas resources.

    He said that the use of gas as a transition fuel would not significantly derail the commitment to carbon-negative growth.

    “Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan attempts to chart an energy transition pathway which has as its bedrock, the development of renewable energy, specifically solar.

    “The plan is to develop 250 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2060.

    “The plan outlines our decarbonisation strategies in the areas of power, oil and gas transportation; it also militates against medium to long-term job losses in an industry that has dominated the economy for decades.

    “It recommends the role of gas as a transition fuel, to balance large influxes of solar power on the grid, its use as a cheaper, and relatively clean option for base load power for industry, as we watch the cost of solar batteries plunge.

    “There are also practical ways in which gas, especially propane, will bridge the gap before the full use of renewables is commercially practical.

    “To illustrate the point practically, recently some discussions have been taking place about the decommissioning of industrial scale diesel and petrol generators used at base stations of telecommunication companies in Nigeria,” he said.

    Previous speakers who had featured at the UPENN Special Lecture series hosted by the U.S. Ivy League University’s Centre for Africana Studies, include Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and the President of Botswana, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

    Earlier in her welcome remarks, Prof. Beth Winkelstein, Interim Provost, UPENN, said that  the planet was facing an existential struggle against climate change for the earth.

    “And indeed for us to last, we must join with our fellow nations around the world in this struggle.

    “Like many countries, including the United States, Nigeria is challenged by competing and sometimes conflicting interests and its development prospects are complex.

    “Nigeria holds amongst the continent’s largest proven oil reserves and faces a potentially perilous future of climate-induced sea level rise and drought.

    “In short, global progress in the battle against climate change needs Nigeria’s partnership and participation,” she said.

    On his part, Prof. Tukufu Zuberi of the Africana Centre, spoke about the relationship between the university and Nigeria.

    He thanked the vice president for honouring the institution’s invitation, noting that the lecture series was part of its efforts in correcting the negative perceptions about Africa.

    “Africa in many ways, has not been treated fairly in conversations, often this treatment is simply a result of not understanding Africa,” he said.

    After the lecture, Wale Adebanwi,  Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, led an interactive session with the vice president.

    Earlier on arrival, Osinbajo had met with the leadership of the university and was later conducted around the Penn Museum by Prof. Tukufu Zuberi.

  • Alleviating poverty and human misery – By Fernando Ocáriz

    Alleviating poverty and human misery – By Fernando Ocáriz

    By Fernando Ocáriz

    On the tenth anniversary of Harambee, a social initiative for alleviating poverty and human misery, Bishop Javier Echevarría gave a conference on The Christian Heart, Motor of Social Development. In light of the social doctrine of the Church and the message of St. Josemaría, Bishop Javier reminded us that the dialogue between Jesus and a doctor of the Law expresses the inseparability of love for God and love for others: “when a doctor of the Law asked him which was the first commandment, the Lord did not limit himself to indicating that love of God is the first and greatest commandment. He included the need to love one’s neighbour in the first commandment (cf. Mt 22:35-39).”

    It is important to keep the relational dimension of the person in mind. Benedict XVI, in the encyclical Caritas in veritate, affirms that, “as a spiritual being, the human creature is defined through interpersonal relations. The more authentically he or she lives these relations, the more his or her own personal identity matures.” This reality “requires a deeper critical evaluation of the category of relation” so that “man’s transcendent dignity [can be] properly understood.”

    There are many professionals dedicated to caring for and dignifying people, especially the most in need. You know from experience that, although institutions and structures are necessary, to achieve true integral development we need encounters between persons, to create contexts and conditions within which development can take place, to give the person the opportunity to perfect him or herself in all his or her dimensions. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called by a new title — “Christian” — to care for people, to care for the world.

    What do we see in the world? Together with new possibilities for human development due to advances in healthcare, technology, communications and so many inspiring examples, we see injustices and wounds from which humanity bleeds. “In today’s world, poverty presents many faces: sick and elderly people treated with indifference, the lone­li­ness felt by many abandoned people, the drama of refugees, and the destitution in which a large part of mankind lives, often as a result of injustices that cry out to Heaven.”. As I said in 2017, “we cannot be indifferent to any of these things”; we are all called to exercise ‘the creativity of charity’ in order to bring the balm of God’s tenderness to all our brothers and sisters who are in need.”

    When human beings ignore or neglect their condition as children of God, all their relationships are affected: with themselves, with others, and with creation. As Pope Francis has said, interdependence becomes dependence: “we lose this harmony of interdependence and solidarity.” We are jointly responsible for taking care of the world, establishing relationships founded in charity, justice, and respect, especially overcoming the disease of indifference. St. John Paul II wrote: “Yes, every man is his ‘brother’s keeper,’ because God entrusts us to one another.”. Some many social initiatives for assisting the poor began under St. Josemaría’s inspiration. And many people today, moved by the same inspiration, work in organisations of different types and focuses because you felt impelled to “do something,” not to sit still with your arms crossed.

    It is at the heart of the spirit of Opus Dei to turn ordinary realities into a place of encounter with God and service to others; it is the aspiration of mature people, professionally competent and sensitive to others, seeking to make the world a more just and fraternal place. “Passionately loving the world” means knowing it, caring for it, and serving it.

    St. Josemaría summarised the approach to social needs in a letter published in the 1950s: “Christians cannot be individualists who forget about the needs of others. Nor can Christians live selfishly and turn their backs on the world; they are essentially social, responsible members of Christ’s Mystical Body.”

    Hand in hand with the founder of Opus Dei, I will focus on four dimensions for assisting others: spiritual, professional, personal and collective. First, the spiritual dimension. It might seem utopian to think that we are capable of doing something to alleviate the suffering of humanity. However, we know that it is Jesus who bears the burden of human pain. The wounds in his side, on his hands, and on his feet are reminders of the wounds of the world. And Jesus has told us: “Whatever you did for one of these, you did for me.”. The path of identification with Christ transforms the human heart and opens it to charity. Union with the Lord, in the sacraments and in prayer, leads us to discover our neighbour and his needs and to pay less attention to ourselves. Charity changes our gaze. “The charity of Christ is not merely a benevolent sentiment for our neighbour; it is not limited to a penchant for philanthropy. Poured out in our soul by God, charity transforms from within our mind and will. It provides the supernatural foundation for friendship and the joy of doing what is right.” Some time ago, in a letter, I invited people to ask the Lord to enlarge our hearts, to give us a heart that fits Him “so that there enter into it all the needs, pains and sufferings of the men and women of our time, especially the weakest.” A prayerful heart, in the middle of the world, supports and accompanies others in their needs.

    Identification with Jesus opens us to others’ needs. At the same time, contact with those in need leads us to Jesus. For this reason, St. Josemaría wrote: “A friend of ours used to say: ‘The poor are my best spiritual book and the main motive of my prayers. It pains me to see them, and in each one of them, Christ. And because it hurts, I realise I love him and love them.’”. Jesus had a predilection for the poor and suffering, but he also wanted to suffer need and to be a victim himself. In the suffering, we glimpse Jesus who speaks to us, as Pope Francis reminded us: “The poor, always and everywhere, evangelise us, because they enable us to discover in new ways the true face of the Father.” From the time of the early Church, it has been understood that the Gospel message is based on concern for the poor and that it is a recognizable sign of Christian identity and an element in its credibility.

    Second: professional dimension. We wish to place Christ at the heart of all human activities, sanctifying professional work and the Christian’s ordinary duties. This mission is carried out in the street, in society, especially through work. St. Josemaría reminds us of “the value of their ordinary work, which can be a highly effective means of loving and serving God and others, be it brilliant or lowly from a human point of view.” And he invites everyone “to work in the way they personally see fit to eliminate intolerance and to make society more just.”

    For those who wish to follow Christ, all work is an opportunity to serve others, especially the most in need. There are professions in which this social impact is more immediate or evident, as in your case, working in organisations focused on improving the living conditions of disadvantaged people or groups. But this dimension of service is not just for some; it must be present in any honest work. From the time when St. Josemaría began to spread his message, he used to say that, to sanctify the world, it was not necessary to change one’s place, profession, or environment. It is a matter of changing oneself, whatever the place.

    Charity and justice converge in the Christian ideal of work. Far from the logic of “success,” service to others is the best criterion for a Christian’s work performance. Satisfying the demands of justice in professional work is a lofty and ambitious goal; fulfilling one’s own obligations is not always easy, and charity always goes further, asking each person to generously go out of him or herself for others.

    In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the innkeeper remains in the background: all we are told is that he acted professionally. His conduct reminds us that the exercise of any professional task gives us an opportunity to serve those in need. At times, the temptation to “take refuge in work” could appear, in the sense of not discovering work’s transformative social dimension, conforming ourselves to a false spiritualism. Sanctified work is always a lever for the transformation of the world, and the usual means by which the changes that dignify people’s lives are brought about, so that charity and justice truly permeate all relationships. The work thus accomplished will be able to contribute to purifying the structures of sin, making them into structures within which integral human development is really possible.

    Faith helps us to conserve our confidence in the future. As St. Josemaría assured us, “our apostolic work will contribute to peace, to the collaboration of people with each other, to justice, to avoiding war, to avoiding isolation, to avoiding both national and personal selfishness. It will do so because everyone will realize that they are part of the whole great human family, which is directed by God’s will towards perfection. In this way we will help remove the all too common anxiety and fear of a future marked by fratricidal resentments. In addition, we will strengthen in souls and in society peace and harmony: tolerance, understanding, mutual relations, love.”

    Third: the personal dimension. The message of Opus Dei urges us to strive for the transformation of the world through work. This also includes having compassion, like the Samaritan, as a requirement of love, which brings the law (“what is required”) to its fullness. Love makes our freedom ever more willing and ready to do good. St. Josemaría wrote, in a letter dated 1942: “The generalization of social remedies for the plagues of suffering or destitution — which make it possible to achieve humanitarian results today that could not have been dreamed of in other times — will never be able to supplant the efficacious tenderness, both human and supernatural, of immediate, personal contact with our neighbour; with this poor person in a neighbourhood nearby, with this sick person living in pain in an immense hospital […].”. We have before us a vast panorama in the family and in society, and a person with a large heart will try earnestly to care for his elderly parents, to give alms, to take an interest in his neighbours’ problems, to pray for a friend overwhelmed with worry, to visit a sick relative in the hospital or at home, to stop and talk to a person he sees regularly who is living on the street, to listen patiently, etcetera, etcetera.

    It is not normally a matter of adding new tasks to the ones we already perform; it is rather a matter of trying to manifest, from our own identity, Christ’s love for others. The question of charity is not only about what I have to do but, first, who I am for the other and who the other is for me.

    In this daily cultivation of solidarity, we find ourselves with others, and so others’ needs also become a place of encounter between people of good will, Christians or non-Christians alike, united before situations of poverty and injustice. This dialogue with necessity and vulnerability will surely bear fruit in greater sensitivity and a life of prayer close to the reality around us. We will be prepared to make decisions of greater personal austerity, avoiding consumerism, the lure of novelty, luxury… and we will know how to renounce unnecessary goods that, in our professional situation, we could perhaps afford. We will thus be receptive to personal change, to opening our ears to the Holy Spirit and listening to what he tells us through poverty.

    Christ’s relationship with those in need is one-on-one. Certainly, collective works are necessary, but charity is personal because our relationship with God is personal. In a mature Christian, the unfolding of the works of mercy lived personally happens organically, like a tree that, as it grows, bears more fruit and shade. From this perspective, one can also perceive the complementarity that exists between the various manifestations of the personal apostolate and generosity with the needy.

    St. Josemaría described the social transcendence of personal charity in the middle of the world, referring to the example of the faithful of the early Church. “This is how the first Christians acted. They did not have, due to their supernatural vocation, social or human programs to complete; but they were imbued with a spirit, a conception of life and of the world, that could not fail to have consequences in the society in which they lived.”

    Fourth: the collective dimension: I do not want to stop expressing gratitude for the good you do through the initiatives inspired by St. Josemaría, and for those of you who, also inspired by him, work in different organisations that provide direct service to those most in need. I think of that young priest taking care of the poor and the sick in Madrid in the 1930s. The “stone fallen into the lake” has come a long way. Although we are aware of our limitations, we thank God and ask for his help to improve and continue. Collective works keep Christian social sensitivity alive and are a civil and public expression of mercy. As the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church says, “in so many aspects the neighbour to be loved is found ‘in society’” and “to love him on the social level means, depending on the situations, to make use of social mediations to improve his life or to remove social factors that cause his indigence. It is undoubtedly an act of love, the work of mercy by which one responds here and now to a real and impelling need of one’s neighbour, but it is an equally indispensable act of love to strive to organize and structure society so that one’s neighbour will not find himself in poverty, above all when this becomes a situation within which an immense number of people and entire populations must struggle, and when it takes on the proportions of a true worldwide social issue.”

    I would like to conclude with more powerful and stimulating words from St. Josemaría: “A man or a society that does not react to suffering and injustice and makes no effort to alleviate them is still distant from the love of Christ’s heart. While Christians enjoy the fullest freedom in finding and applying various solutions to these problems, they should be united in having one and the same desire to serve mankind. Otherwise their Christianity will not be the word and life of Jesus; it will be a fraud, a deception of God and man”.

     

    Monsignor Ocáriz is the Prelate of Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church

  • SDP presidential candidate promises to reduce poverty rate

    SDP presidential candidate promises to reduce poverty rate

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo has promised to reduce the rate of poverty in Nigeria and provide more opportunities for the youths when elected.

    Adebayo, who was represented by his Vice Presidential Candidate, Yusuf Buhari, said this during a visit to Oba Joseph Olubiyi Ajibise Ogo 1 (Ogunsua of Modakeke) of Ile Ife, Osun State.

    In a statement by the Adebayo Presidential Campaign Organisation in Abuja, he said that the SDP was inspired by Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution which states that sovereignty belongs to the people.

    He said that the leadership was therefore set up by the people and its job is to look out for the welfare of the people.

    He said one of the major problems facing the country was poverty all over the place in spite of its abundant blessings of material and human resources.

    Adebayo said that in certain parts of the country, some people have no food to eat to the extent of picking the left over in the dustbins to feed their children.

    “If you go around some areas at night, you’ll see some people sleeping everywhere on the streets, no shelter.

    “If you go to the hospitals, patients are all over on the floor, no bed, only one doctor with thousands of patients.

    “Nigerians do not deserve this. Nigeria is a blessed country. We have resources, we have professionals, If we can put our house together, all of these things we are seeing, we’ll not be seeing them,” he added.

    Adebayo said that the previous administration had failed to improve the welfare of ordinary citizens, adding that the SDP was on the race to make things better for Nigerians.

    “We are here to assure you of all the plans that we have set out, even when we get there we’re going to achieve them. We know it’s going to be difficult but we will achieve them by the grace of God”.

    Adebayo gave the assurance that Nigerian youths would have a lot to benefit from the party because they believe the youth are the ones making great achievements for Nigeria.

    In his remarks, Oba Toriola commended the plan and vision of Adebayo for the country.

    “I must say that I am touched by your plan and your vision, so I pray that God will help you to accomplish your race.”

    The royal father prayed for the SDP presidential candidate and his campaign team.

    The campaign team comprised of National Secretary of SDP, Olu Agunloye; National Vice chairman South West, Mr Silas Alani; Director of Protocol, Chief Godwin Osigbeme; Director of Finance, Sen. Ugochukwu Uba; and Prof. Femi Olufumilade.

  • Poverty in Niger Delta requires concerted efforts – Ayu

    Poverty in Niger Delta requires concerted efforts – Ayu

    The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Iyorchia Ayu on Wednesday decried the poor living condition in Niger Delta and called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to address the challenge.

    Ayu made the call while inaugurating the multi-billion Naira Ogheye Floating Market; Odokun Secondary School, 3-km pedestrian road linking Oboghoro to Ogheye-Dimigun.

    Other projects inaugurated by the PDP chairman were a pedestrian bridge crossing Jorojoro creek to Ogheye-Dimigun, all in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta.

    Ayu noted that poverty rate in the Niger Delta region was on the rise describing the situation as bizarre, given the volume of wealth it bore and it’s huge contributions to the nation’s economy.

    According to him, the people of Niger Delta deserved a better deal for their sacrifices and contributions to the nation’s economic mainstay.

    He, however, lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for his outstanding development efforts in the state, especially in the construction of the modern market which would contribute immensely to the growth of commerce in the area.

    The PDP Chairman said that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had set the country backward for over 50 years, and urged Nigerians to support his party’s mission to rescue and rebuild the nation.

    “I thank the people of Delta for the support you have given to us in our journey so far to recover and rebuild Nigeria.

    “I am happy to come back to the state for the second time as National Chairman of our great party to inaugurate projects executed by Governor Okowa who, by the grace of God, will become our next Vice-President in a few months.

    “I first took note of Okowa’s works as Governor when he built the best State Secretariat in the country and I remember telling him that the nation was taking note of his contributions to the development of his people.

    “Some political parties will come to campaign to the people, make all manner of promises to deceive the people into voting for them but when they come into office they don’t fulfill their promises and that’s criminal.

    “But the PDP which i was a founding member was formed to work for the people and we are particularly proud of our governors who are hoisting the party’s flag high.

    “I am happy that there is continuity in governance here in Delta and the three governors so far, have not disappointed the people of Delta,” he said.

    Ayu said Okowa’s outstanding works and contributions to the party earned him the Vice-Presidential ticket.
    He, however, described him as a brilliant and articulate man who, had continued to offer greater services to the party and the country.

    In his remarks, Gov. Okowa appreciated his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who conceived and started the construction of the market.

    The project was later abandoned due to financial constraints and non-performance by the contractor.
    “I was part of the initiative when I visited Warri North for the inauguration of projects at Oboghoro and Utonlila communities.

    “I visited the market project and assured that we will take steps to re-award the contract,” he said.
    Okowa urged the party hierarchy to support the development of the region, pointing out that “it costs so much to execute projects in the Niger Delta”.

    Also, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, commended the governor for ensuring the completion of the age-long market, adding that its completion would improve the growth of commerce in the area.
    The king said that the area was known for abundance of oil and gas but regretted that the people had not benefitted from the proceeds from the exploration of the resources.

    “Building the market is commendable as commerce remained the best way to reposition Delta beyond oil and gas,” he said.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Projects), Mr Solomon Golley, said that the Ogheye Floating Market was built at the mouth of the Benin River.

    “The market comprised a landing jetty, 96 open shops, 80 lock-up shops, security tower, gate house, canteen, administrative building, banking hall.

    “It also contained fish processing unit, warehouse building, toilet facilities and a protective fence on the platform,” Golley said.

  • SDP’s presidential candidate promises to address poverty, insecurity

    SDP’s presidential candidate promises to address poverty, insecurity

    Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo said on Tuesday in Kano that he would address insecurity and poverty if elected.

    “I will tackle insecurity to pave way for economic growth and development,’’ he told a news conference.

    He also pledged to create jobs to lift youths out of poverty and deprivation.

    Adebayo promised to support agriculture in Kano State to ensure food sufficiency and food security.

    “We will support farmers, activate dams, provide agricultural input, provide sound and qualitative education and also fight criminality,’’ he said.

    The candidate assured that if Nigerians voted for him and his running mate, Malam Yusuf Buhari, they would tackle the country’s economic challenges.

    Adebayo paid tribute to Kano’s progressive politician, late Malam Aminu Kano, whom he said he followed ardently.

    The presidential candidate said it was disheartening that thriving factories and industries had collapsed in Kano and called on Nigerians to vote for the SDP to avoid remaining in perpetual poverty.

    Adebayo was accompanied to the news conference by his vice-presidential candidate, the party’s governorship candidate in Kano State, Alhaji Bala Gwagwarwa and other party chieftains.

  • 2023: Peter Obi identifies 2 priorities to address if elected president

    2023: Peter Obi identifies 2 priorities to address if elected president

    Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has promised to address two key priorities: insecurity and poverty when elected as president in 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Peter Obi made the promise while addressing newsmen at the sideline of the party’s Strategic Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He lamented the high rate of insecurity and poverty, and promised to address those challenges.

    He said the party had announced a new director general of the Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Akin Osuntokun, to replace Dr Doyin Okupe, who was convicted by a court, adding that a new Nigeria was possible.

    “Today, Nigerians are living in IDP Camps in their country. This means they are IDPs in their own country, and we have been receiving many bad news all over the place..

    “There are so many cases of kidnappings and killings all over the country. Our party has also been attacked severally; our woman lady was attacked and killed in Kaduna. The same thing happened to our party’s member contesting in Imo. We can not continue this way.

    “These are the problems in the country that we need to deal with as quickly as possible, where Nigerians can be safe in their own country. We will achieve this if voted into power in 2023 by God’s grace,” Obi said.

    On the youth, Obi said they were energetic and talented, adding that they could compete with other youths globally and defeat them squarely.

    According to the candidate, an individual cannot be rich in a poor environment, stressing that as long as Nigerians are suffering, there is need to address the issues.

    “However, there is need for Nigerians to take back their country and set themselves free from oppression and from producing more poverty.

    “What we are trying to do about structure is to restructure the structure that created poverty. So, our structure is the volunteers who want to take their country back.

    “It will be driven by you all, and if you don’t, remember about your children, yourselves and the future.

    “The society we are building today will make it better for all of us tomorrow,” Obi said.