NGO counsels humanitarian minister on people-friendly policies
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Atum Humanitarian and Charitable Initiative, has advised the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, to initiate people-friendly policies, to address the rising poverty in the country.
PUNCH Online reports that the President on Wednesday appointed Yilwatda as the substantive minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of the initativee, Ismaila Atus, said millions of Nigerians currently grapple with poverty and other health issues that should be addressed.
Atus said the foundation would be willing to partner with the ministry to design a poverty-alleviating scheme to assist Nigerians.
He said, “I congratulate the new minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction. As a politician, we urge him to be liberal. The post he occupies today is meant for poor people.
“So, we urge him to feed a lot of Nigerians at a critical time when people are suffering. We encourage him to search for funds all over the world to assist the masses.
“He should not look as if he is the minister and the post is for a big man. The minister should initiate people-friendly policies that would address the current economic hardship in the country.
“This is a poor-people post, and he should work with all the NGOs that are putting effort to assist humanity in this country. We urge him to work with them.
Recall that the foundation came up a with policy to raise N500 million to assist 2 million indigent Nigerians due to the economic hardship.
This is even as it called on well-meaning Nigerians to engage in humanitarian aid, adding that it was unwise for people with the financial means to stash money in foreign accounts when millions of Nigerians wallow in abject poverty.
Atus, who is also the Executive Chairman of Woskybet, said, “We are going to raise N500 million to assist 2 million Nigerians. The Hunger is too much. Foodstuff is beyond the reach of the ordinary man. I urge those with the wherewithal to help.
“Aside from that, I am calling on the government to reduce the hardship. The government is trying but it is not enough, because millions of Nigerians are suffering.
“This is the time the people need the government. Politicians should join the bandwagon to assist the masses. They cannot continue to stash their money abroad.”
