COVID-19: Stakeholders urge partnership to tackle poverty

Stakeholders have stated the need for private sector players to align efforts with the government in tackling the effects of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in order to reduce the level of poverty in Nigeria.

This was the resolution at the recent cross-sector roundtable organised by State Craft Inc, a full-service governance consulting firm.

The roundtable held in Lagos had Sadiya Umar Faruq, minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development and other leaders in the business and development sector, in attendance.

The roundtable was convened with the aim of rallying stakeholder support to boost efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the myriad of challenges emanating from the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The minister impressed upon guests the importance of “re- imagining approaches to solving new and older challenges in the wake of the pandemic.” She also assured that the meeting will lead to a “renewed vigour in the ongoing efforts to find better ways to collaborate as we help those most vulnerable in society.”

Ad ebola Williams, CEO, State Craft Inc., commended the effort of the public and private actors in Nigeria’s fight against hunger.

Mohammed Yahya, resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria, who was also at the forum, emphasised the importance of collaboration and partnership in development. He noted that public-private partnership has been instrumental in the projects the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has successfully executed in Nigeria.

Attendees at the roundtable resolved to better align their efforts with those of the government of Nigeria towards cushioning the impact of the Covid- 19 pandemic on Nigerians, especially regarding the increasing number of people at risk from hunger, with inadequate access to health and educational facilities.