Lagos: The Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Dr. Funke Adepoju-Olayomi, has called for transformative and sustainable solutions to poverty in the country. The director-general made the call at the Third Education Summit of the Centre For General Nigerian Studies (CGNS), Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the summit centered around the theme: ‘From Dote to Antidote: Unpacking the Dimensions of Poverty in Nigeria and the Blue Print Beyond’. The event gathered academics and various personalities to deliberate on issues that promote inequality and hinder national progress. Dr. Adepoju-Olayomi emphasized the critical role education plays in breaking the cycle of poverty, stating that poverty is not just a statistic but a reality that affects dignity, aspiration, and national competitiveness.
She underscored the importance of investing in human capital and governance structures to support youth and women. Dr. Adepoju-Olayomi advocated for a shift from mere sympathy to systems thinking, urging for solutions that are transformative and sustainable. She expressed confidence that the summit’s discussions would yield actionable blueprints for policymakers and institutions.
Earlier, Prof. Raman Saka, the summit committee Chairman, emphasized the need for sustainable solutions to poverty. He highlighted that poverty is a complex ecosystem requiring a holistic approach for dismantling. Prof. Saka encouraged participants to engage deeply and collaborate extensively to generate knowledge that would translate into empowering policies and practices.
Prof. Benedict Emunemu, the keynote speaker and President of HERPNET University, Ibadan, highlighted the widespread and multidimensional nature of poverty in Nigeria. He urged national leaders and economic players to move from temporary fixes to long-term strategies, advocating for integrated and evidence-driven reforms to significantly reduce poverty. Prof. Emunemu stressed that sustainable development necessitates strong governance, empowerment, and community participation.