The Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said despite Buhari's promise to lift 100 million Nigerians out of extreme poverty within 10 years, the situation seems to have worsen.
Adesina who made the disclosure while briefing newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, said the Buhari administration has acknowledged that time is running out, as Buhari's 10 year road map will hit 2 years in June.
He did however noted that while the results have not been positive since the President made the promise, poverty alleviation is still a work in progress, and that the president remains committed to get it done.
He said, “The Presidential Economic Advisory Council had some weeks back submitted the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy to the Federal Executive Council, and it was widely debated today, and eventually passed as a conclusion.
“And these are some of the things, the Federal Executive Council noted the worsening poverty situation in the country and the efforts of the federal government to redress that situation.
“It’s not as if the government is not aware that there is poverty in the land but things are been done.
“One of it is this National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy that was presented today.
“The Council also noted that the President applied to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. Actually, by June 12 this year, that promise will be two years old It was noted that it is a work in progress, and it is work that will get done.
“The council noted that the President has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the chairman Presidential Economic Advisory Council on the need to come up with a sustainable Poverty Reduction Strategy. And that strategy is what is already codified in this volume and it was widely discussed and passed.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is to chair the national steering committee for the implementation of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, previously said alleviating poverty in the country remains Buhari's top priority, but that implemention failures has been a major challenge.