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• 2 Comments on Eradicating Poverty and Hunger in Nigeria: The Role of Zaks Foundation for Humanity (ZFH)
• October 17, 2024

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a yearly observance on October 17th, is significant, following closely behind World Food Day. The theme for this year, “Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting dignity in practice for all,” centers on enhancing understanding and dialogue between people living in poverty and the broader society. This theme isn’t merely an abstract concept; it is grounded in the lived experiences of those ensnared by extreme poverty. These individuals often toil relentlessly in hazardous, unregulated conditions but still struggle to secure an income that can adequately support themselves and their families.

The heart of this year’s theme lies in the call for universal access to decent work and social protection as a means of preserving the dignity of all individuals. Decent work should encompass fair wages and safe working conditions, recognizing the intrinsic value and humanity of every worker. Simultaneously, universal social protection is urgently needed to provide income security, especially for society’s most vulnerable members. Furthermore, this theme acts as a poignant reminder to political leaders and policymakers, urging them to prioritize human dignity above personal interests in all decision-making processes. This is crucial to the advancement of fundamental human rights and social justice.

 The importance of strong global partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society organizations cannot be overstated. Such partnerships are essential for achieving equitable development and ensuring that no one is marginalized or left behind. This year’s observance offers an invaluable opportunity to stand in solidarity with individuals living in poverty. It’s a call to genuinely listen to their daily struggles and renew our collective commitment to shaping an equitable economy that values human well-being and environmental preservation over personal political or financial gains. It’s worth noting that the United Nations’ first Sustainable Development Goal is to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere,” emphasizing the interconnectedness between access to food and other vital resources. The ultimate aspiration is to eradicate poverty entirely by creating conditions where every individual can live with dignity.

One poignant aspect highlighted on the day is the intricate relationship between access to food, poverty, health, and hunger. Hunger is often the most severe manifestation of poverty and is intrinsically tied to negative health outcomes. While not all individuals living in poverty experience chronic hunger, a significant majority of those grappling with chronic hunger are also living in poverty.

For us in Nigeria the statistics are staggering. In 2022, an estimated 88.4 million people in Nigeria lived in extreme poverty. Shockingly, nearly the same number of men and women, around 44.7 million and 43.7 million respectively, struggled to survive on less than $1.90 a day. This has increased, in view of the runaway food inflation that is currently at play in Nigeria, with only about 2.78% of the world’s population, plays host to roughly 12.9% of the global population living in extreme poverty. These alarming numbers are mirrored in the 2023 Global Hunger Index, where Nigeria ranks 109th out of 125 countries with sufficient data to calculate the 2023 GHI scores. With a score of 28.3, the level of hunger in Nigeria is classified as serious, underlining the gravity of the situation.

It’s important to recognize that poverty, food prices, and hunger are inextricably linked. Poverty is a primary driver of hunger, often rendering it the most severe and critical manifestation of poverty. Rural households, in particular, bear the brunt of poverty and hunger’s consequences. Poverty not only leads to hunger but also limits the capacity of rural communities to invest in their own development.

In a stark demonstration of the impact of poverty on education, young girls in impoverished rural communities are often deprived of educational opportunities. They might be kept out of school to save money, engage in petty income generating activities, or contribute to household chores and farming. This contributes to the existing disparity in the education of rural and urban girls. Numerous studies have shown that a lack of education results in higher adolescent birth rates, which further burden already economically strained communities, perpetuating a vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty, and hunger.

Zaks Foundation for Humanity is an organization that confronts these stark realities daily in the rural communities of Nigeria. The organization firmly believes in a holistic approach to tackling hunger, addressing not only its symptoms but also its root causes. This approach is at the heart of their livelihood programs. Zaks Foundation for Humanity endeavors to empower women, men, and youth with the skills, knowledge, and leadership needed to break free from the cycle of poverty, thereby enabling them to meet their own basic needs and build better futures for themselves and their children.

Zaks Foundation for Humanity offers an array of programs designed to make a tangible impact, addressing specific facets of the poverty and hunger challenge in Nigeria. These programs include:

1. Nutritional Assistance Program (NAP): In this program, the organization provides monthly food packages to the poorest and most vulnerable families in rural and deserving urban communities and thereafter transition some of them from dependency on food handouts to self sustaining activities. 

2. Social Entrepreneurship and Micro-development: Zaks Foundation introduces and trains communities in food-related community-based initiatives, addressing poverty, increasing income, teaching new skills, providing training, and creating individual, family, and community economic opportunities. The program also implements additional income-generating measures.

3. Agricultural and Rural Development: This program encompasses a range of agricultural initiatives, including smallholder farming, subsistence farming, backyard farming, soil improvement projects, and sustainable and regenerative food programs such as aqua farming, greenhouse gardens, beekeeping, and fruit tree planting.

4. Resilience for Agricultural Innovation and Development (RAID): Closely linked to the above, the  organisation aims to develop and enhance agricultural value chains among smallholder farmers in North Central Nigeria. This program provides training, farm inputs, including enhanced seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, and modern farm implements. RAID not only increases the incomes of thousands of female food farmers but also enhances their resilience in agricultural enterprises. By increasing crop yields, farmers can grow enough food to feed their families, diversify their crop yields, and have surpluses to sell at the market.

1. Community Health for Adolescents and Reproductive Mothers (CHARM): CHARM reaches out to pregnant women and malnourished children in rural communities, providing essential health support to vulnerable groups.

These initiatives collectively symbolize a profound commitment to alleviating poverty and hunger at the grassroots level by ZFH. The focus is on holistic development and the empowerment of those in need. It’s worth noting that despite the commendable efforts, the challenges facing Nigeria are of such enormity that these endeavors are only a small part of what is required to address the nation’s complex issues.

Looking ahead, there is an urgent need for concerted action from both the government and the international community. The issue of extreme poverty and hunger in Nigeria has reached shocking and alarming proportions, as highlighted in the 2023 Global Hunger Index. The country is home to a significant portion of the global population living in extreme poverty, with millions unable to meet even their most basic needs. The disconcerting aspect is that this critical issue seems to have escaped the radar of the international community, and several factors contribute to this lack of attention.

Firstly, the scale of poverty and hunger in Nigeria is monumental, making it a daunting challenge for the international community and donors to fully address. Nigeria’s vast population, diverse regions, and complex socio-economic dynamics necessitate comprehensive and sustained efforts.

Secondly, domestic and political challenges, encompassing governance, security, and infrastructure issues, hamper the effective implementation of anti-poverty and hunger alleviation programs. These domestic issues make it increasingly challenging for international assistance to achieve the desired impact.

Moreover, competing global crises and issues, such as conflicts, climate change, and global health crises, divert attention and resources away from poverty and hunger in Nigeria. These high-profile global challenges demand substantial international focus and funding, leaving limited room for the sustained attention required to address the issue of extreme poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

To make a more significant impact, there’s an urgent need for the government, the local, and the international community to prioritize poverty and hunger alleviation. This involves not only providing immediate relief but also addressing the root causes of these issues, such as economic inequality, education, and access to healthcare. Collaborative efforts involving the Nigerian government, international organizations, donors, and NGOs are crucial to addressing this pressing issue and ensuring that the most vulnerable populations have access to basic necessities.

The importance of public awareness and advocacy cannot be overstated. These elements are key to raising the profile of this critical challenge and pressuring political leaders, well-meaning individuals, companies, and organizations to take meaningful action. We need a rallying cry for the international community, local and international organizations, companies, donors, and well-meaning individuals to join Zaks Foundation for Humanity in confronting these enormous challenges.

While we mark this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, let us not only acknowledge the persistent challenges in Nigeria but also celebrate the inspirational work of organizations like Zaks Foundation for Humanity, which are making a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve. By supporting these initiatives and promoting global solidarity, we can collectively take substantive steps toward a world where no one is left behind, and everyone can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. The time for action is now.

Aliyu Ahmed 

Chairman, ZFH

This Article was first published on the 17^th of October 2024.