Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has stressed that the responsibility of tackling poverty and driving national development cannot be left to government alone, calling for joint efforts from faith-based organisations, the private sector and individuals.
Abiodun made the call in Lagos on Tuesday while chairing the 12th Annual Public Lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, themed “Poverty Alleviation, Economic Development and Stability of the Nigerian Economy,” held at The Marquee, Harbour Point, Victoria Island.
“The burden of governance cannot be shouldered by government alone, and the church has effectively demonstrated this belief through its initiatives,” the governor said, commending Foursquare Gospel Church for going “beyond the pulpit” through its schools, hospitals, humanitarian outreaches, and empowerment programmes.
He maintained that poverty eradication requires economic stability, anchored on inclusive growth that prioritises opportunities for all, especially the vulnerable. “Without stability, the economy is short-lived. Without development, poverty persists,” Abiodun added. “We must collaborate to break the cycle because poverty is not just an economic statistic, it is a human reality.”
In his welcome address, General Overseer of the church, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, said no nation could achieve lasting development without confronting poverty. “Poverty is one of the greatest challenges confronting Nigerians today, and it can only be removed or minimised through a collective battle,” he noted.
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Delivering the lecture, Dr. Doyin Salami, Senior Fellow and Associate Professor at Lagos Business School, warned that Nigeria’s current 3.2 per cent growth rate was inadequate to reduce poverty. He argued that the country requires at least 6.5 per cent annual growth for a decade to make significant progress.
“Recent data shows that increases in investment in Nigeria are not strong enough to stimulate growth. We must avoid the mistakes of the past and ensure that our investments are the kind that stimulate, support and drive development,” Salami said.
He further cautioned that Nigeria’s over-reliance on services at the expense of industry was fueling de-industrialisation and weakening prospects for sustainable development.