Scientist urges FG to tackle poverty, hunger for improved health

Dr Livinus Abonyi, a Medical Imaging Scientist challenges the Federal Government to tackle poverty and hunger if it hopes to reduce pervasive ill health in the country. Abonyi, a Lecturer in the Department of Medical Radiography, University of Lagos, made the call in an interview on Monday in Lagos. He said that poverty contributes to ill health, which in turn aggravates the level of poverty. The medical scientist expressed concern over Nigeria’s growing food security challenges. He attributes the growing food challenge to climate change, economic instability, limited access to quality agricultural inputs, and market constraints for smallholder farmers. According to him, such a trend ends up having adverse effects on the country’s health indices. He said over 40 per cent of Nigerians below the poverty line and nearly 20 per cent of children under five suffer chronic malnutrition, based on 2020 World Bank Report. “Urgent action is needed to build resilient food systems to improve the nation’s health indices. “Living in poverty can have a devastating effect on health; and poor health leads to poverty. “Good leadership, strong partnerships, and targeted investment will change this trajectory to bridge the gaps with smart solutions,” he said The Nigerian setting where more than five people live in a room apartment thereby contributing to the spread of airborne diseases compounds the situation, he added. The causes of poor health for millions globally include political, social and economic injustice. Dr. Ahonyi added that poverty was both a cause and a consequence of poor health. He added that poverty increases the chances of poor health and poor health, in turn, traps communities in poverty. “The World Bank recognises the relationship between economic development and health. “It also recognises that the poor health indices in most developing countries are as a result of entrapment in a vicious circle of unrelieved poverty. “Therefore, for our economy to be more vibrant, we need to pay more attention to the health and welfare of the population and of course the health sector,” he said. The scientist explained that, to improve on the poor health indices, healthcare policies must be inclusive of all socio-economic strata. Tackling the structural causes of poverty and poor health, he argued, requires adopting measures to address inequality and injustice by the government. “There must be universal basic healthcare coverage and provision of health insurance to Nigerians, especially the rural community dwellers. “Reducing poverty, improving nutrition and making sure people have access to safe water and sanitation, as well as strengthening national health systems, is of the utmost importance. “Otherwise, tackling one particular threat simply leaves people open to another deadly disease soon afterward,’’ Abonyi said.

Oxfam challenges governments to bridge the extreme wealth gap

Oxfam, an international non-governmental organisation, has urged all tiers of government to tackle inequality and wealth gap among Nigerians. John Makina, Country Director, Oxfam in Nigeria, made the call at the unveiling of the State of Climate Finance in Nigeria Report and 2025 Davos report on Inequality in Abuja. Makina, represented by Mr Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive Officer, Connected Development (CODE), identified Nigeria’s wealth gap as a moral and social crisis. SEE ALSO: NCC approves 50% tariff hike for Telcos He said that a few individuals amassed immense wealth while more than 133 million of the populace faced hunger daily. “This extreme inequality is largely unearned, built on inheritance, monopolies and unfair advantages. “We must act now to create a fairer system by taxing the richest, addressing injustices and investing in services that lift millions out of poverty. “Tax the richest to end extreme wealth.’’ Makina recommended that global tax policy should fall under a new UN tax convention, ensuring the richest people and corporations paid their fair share. He said analysis conducted by Oxfam showed that half of the world’s billionaires lived in countries with no inheritance tax for direct descendants. The country director said inheritance needed to be taxed to dismantle the new aristocracy. SEE ALSO: Trump pledges a new America, to end inflation, curtail immigration According to him, report by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) shows that only 40 wealthy individuals pay taxes in Nigeria. “The other question is whether the taxes they pay are fair to the income/profit they make. “The ongoing tax and fiscal reforms must put a search light on taxing the rich, not just the billionaires but the millionaires in hundreds”. Makina said the purpose of the  study was to develop climate financing information towards ensuring meaningful and informed participation of citizens in social and financial accountability of climate finance with focus at both national and local levels. “By providing strategic development of resources and information on climate finance in Nigeria, this study will help inform partners about Oxfam’s current and future climate finance programming and advocacy in Nigeria.