A United Nations Ambassador for Peace, Victor Douglas Malasowe, has called on Nigerian leaders to urgently adopt tested global strategies to end poverty, warning that continued inaction is a betrayal of future generations. While speaking on the theme “How Nigeria Can Escape Poverty: Lessons from Success Stories”, Amb. Malasowe pointed that the country’s struggle with poverty is not a lack of resources but of political will and purposeful leadership.
He pointed to China’s remarkable feat of lifting over 800 million people out of poverty through massive investments in infrastructure, education, and manufacturing. In his words “Nigeria must prioritize these with ruthless focus”. Drawing parallels with Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, he noted that these nations transformed their economies by fighting corruption, empowering entrepreneurs, and turning strategic visions into concrete actions. “Why can’t we?” he questioned, as he called Nigerian policymakers to replace rhetoric with measurable impact.
Tying his message to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), the ambassador painted a picture of a transformed Nigeria. “Imagine a Nigeria where farmers have roads, students have skills, and businesses thrive without bribes,” he said, stressing that a nation’s development must be people-centered. According to him, “the blueprint exists; all we need is the will to act.” He concluded with a sobering reminder: “Every day we delay is another generation betrayed.”
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