The Nigerian government has been charged to come up with special programmes that would tackle the rising level of poverty and eradicate the menace in the country.
The United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN), gave the charge in Lagos during the events put together by the association to mark the United Nations Day at the Russel International School, Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lekki, Lagos.
In her welcome remarks, UNAN’s President, Joan Agha, stressed that eradicating poverty which is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN remains imperative to a peaceful and just society.
Agha urged the students to always uphold the principles of the United Nations which is built on dignity, freedom and justice for all.
“Today, we gather here to reflect on the theme of this year’s United Nations Day which is “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All.”
“As students you play a pivotal role in the realisation of these principles,” she said.
Similarly, UNAN’s Vice President, who spoke with our correspondent, Mrs. Ijeoma Nweke, corroborated Agha’s views on the need for economic empowerment to eradicate poverty.
Nweke believes that each person who is empowered has a triple effect and ripple effect on poverty.
“In as much as we’re saying the government can not do it all, but let them try as much as possible to ensure that these UN goals, especially on the one that has to do with poverty, zero hunger. You can see what is happening in our world today, especially our country, let the government come up with programmes that can impact positively on the lives of the people, and help them erase poverty from their lives and communities.
“Government should empower people to overcome poverty, because when you empower someone, the person can also empower other people and it will have a triple effect and a ripple effect on poverty as in trying to minimize it,” she said.
Also, the UNAN’s Vice President explained that the decision to mark the 78th United Nations Day with the theme: Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All at the Russel International School was to create awareness among youth about what the UN is all about and the importance of the world.
“Today is the 78th year of the United Nations and just like we all know, they stand for Justice, Unity and Freedom for all, as we’ve seen today as a team and all their dictates.
Also talking about the 17 SDGs which they stand for and want every member nation to project. to achieve the goal.
Mrs. Ifeoma Nwuke, UNAN Project Officer shared similar views with Nweke. Both officials said that the essence of marking the global event is to create awareness about the United Nations, noting that UNAN as a group is an Ambassador of the UN in Nigeria to enlighten people about the UN goals.
“So, today as members of UNAN, we are here in this school to also create awareness about the United Nations because that’s part of it. We are just like UN representatives in Nigeria to enlighten people, especially the young ones who are coming up to know what the UN stands for and ensure that as they grow up too they align to these goals and ensure that we have a wonderful and free world today.”
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