By Nsikak Ekpenyong, Abuja
Atum Humanitarian and Charitable Initiative, has implored the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, to initiate people-friendly policies, to address poverty.
Executive Chairman, Ismaila Yusuf Atus, in a congratulatory,said millions of Nigerians currently grapple with poverty and other health issues that should be addressed.
Atus said the foundation would be willing to partner with the ministry to design a poverty- alleviating scheme to assist Nigerians.
He said”I congratulate the new minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction. As a politician, we urge him to be liberal. The post he occupies today is meant for poor people.
“So, we urge him to feed a lot of Nigerians at a critical time that people are suffering. We encourage him to search for fund all over the world to assist the masses.
“He should not look as if he is the minister and the post is for a big man.
“This is a poor-people post, and he should work with all the NGOs that are putting effort to assist humanity in this country. We urge him to work with him that we are going to work with him tirelessly.
Recall that the foundation came up a policy to raise N500 million to assist 2 million indigent Nigerians due to the economic hardship.
This is even as it called on well-meaning Nigerians to engage in humanitarian aid, adding that it was unwise for people with the financial means to stash money in foreign accounts when millions of Nigerians wallow in abject poverty.
Atus, who is also the Executive Chairman of Woskybet, said: “We are going to raise N500 million to assist 2 million Nigerians. The Hunger is too much. Foodstuff is beyond the reach of the ordinary man. I urge those with the wherewithal to help.
“Aside that, I am calling on government to reduce the hardship. The government is trying but it is not enough, because millions of Nigerians are suffering.
“This is the time the people need the government. Politicians should join the bandwagon to assist the masses. They cannot continue to stash their money abroad.”
