Mr Nehemiah Dandaura, the Deputy Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has assured of his readiness to contribute positively to poverty eradication in order to improve on the lives of his constituents and the society at large.
The deputy speaker made the promise on Friday in Abuja while receiving an acheivements award, tagged “Ambassador for Sustainable Development” for his positive contributions in poverty eradication and service to humanity.
He recieved the award at the Launching of the Nigerian Chapter of International Christian Organisation for Sustainable Development (ICOSD) and Awards, with the theme “End Poverty in Nigeria”, held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
Dsndaura said he has done a lot and still doing in empowering a lot of people towards reducing poverty in the country and promised to do more in that regard.
“I urge all of us to support this initiative so that poverty, if not completely eradicated, but can be reduced to the barest minimum.
“I am happy and excited with this award given to me by the International Christian Organisation and this award will definitely spur me to do more toward reducing poverty in the society.
“I want to dedicate this award to orphans and widows of my constituency and the state at large.
“I will continue to empower my constituents and others to change their lives positively.
“Let’s continue to do our best to pull people out of poverty by putting smiles in their faces and empowering them and improve on their standard of living.
“I want to assure that I will continue to contribute my quota in tackling poverty in the society.
“When we support poverty programmes, we will improve on the standard of living of our brothers and sisters and others who are living in poverty as well as to give them a sense of belonging in the society,” he stated.
The lawmaker called on Christians and other Nigerians to continue to support government efforts in eradicating poverty in the country.
On his part, Sen. George Akume, the Chairman of the occasion, who is also the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, commended the organisers of the event aimed at tackling poverty in the society.
Akume, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Consultancy, Prof. Babatunde Bolaji, called for collective efforts in order to tackle poverty in the country.
The minister said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was committed in addressing poverty in the country through its various policies and programmes.
Mr Boss Mustpaha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, while launching the programme, commended ICOSD for joining the Federal Government efforts in curtailing poverty in the society.
The SGF, who was represented by Mr Francis Wasa, a director in his office, urged Nigerians to support poverty eradication programmes for the overall development of the country.
In his opening remark Bishop Joseph Vambe, the ICOSD President said that their mission is a deliberate effort for the eradication of poverty in the society.
“We believe that poverty is neither divine nor as a result of scarce resources but anthropogenic and cuts across all religious divides.
“An error that can be rectified by governments, religious institutions, civil societies and the affluents.
“Thus, the emergence of International Christian Organisation for Sustainable Development (ICOSD) in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals One (SDGs1),” he said
He said that the organisation was formed in 2016 to collectively fight to eradicate global poverty that now plague over 80 per cent of the global population who are now living on less than US$10 per day.
“This award of Sustainable Development is subject to merit in recognition of the services rendered to humanity in the areas of politics, education, legal system, Christianity, charity, community development, etc, for the improvement of humanity in Nigeria.
“This first set of awards from ICOSD is intended to be an annual event in recognition of those contributing meaningfully to the betterment of humanity,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that 128 personalities received the awards, including Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Mr Boss Mistapha, the SGF; and Sen. George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
Others were the Governors Rotimi Akeredolu; Gov. Samuel Ortom; Gov Nyeson Wike; Gov. Simon Lalong of Ondo, Benue, Rivers and Plateau States, respectively.
Senators Philip Aduda, Oluremi Tinubu and Barnabas Gemade, Rep Jonathan Gbefwi, Chief Femi Falana (SAN), Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), and Mr Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana) were among the recipients.