Mrs Grace Chinedu, a philanthropist and the founder, Restored Destiny Child Orphanage, has called for genuine efforts by the government and wealthy individuals to tackle endemic poverty in Nigeria.
Chinedu said this when she spoke with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, saying it was time to address ravaging poverty in the country.

She said the level of hardship in Nigeria, especially after the removal of subsidy on petroleum had made it imperative for all concerned to think outside the box.

“It is necessary for relevant stakeholders including entrepreneurs, civil society organisation and well meaning individuals to support the current government to find lasting solution to the problem,” she said.

Chinedu said if nothing was done urgently to contain the situation it might lead to a spike in criminal activities, adding that such would affect the progress made so far by government.

“I will solicit that government should come in to affect the lives of people that do not have.

“When you are blessed you need to bless someone.

“Show love to people that do not have, like orphans, widows and as you affect the lives of people I know that God will increase you more,” she said.

On the motivation for setting up of an orphanage, the founder said it was a clarion call to touch the lives of the needy in the society.

“I decided to share this goodness of God in my life with orphans and widows.

“It has been God all through because he is the one that called me and he has been backing me up.

“I have nothing to regret about it,”she said.

Also speaking, Dr Ero Ibhafidon, the founder, Waterlight Save Initiative, expressed optimism that the current harsh in Nigeria would come to an end.

While commending the Federal Government for its policies on poverty alleviation, he called for proper implementation of the policies to affect the lives of Nigerians positively.

“Poverty is an institution of its own and like the First Lady said, we should stop talking more about poverty so that we can give hope to the generation yet unborn and future leaders.

“Government is doing the best it can but it could still do more.

“So, we implore government to implement more policies that would be beneficial to those in deplorable condition,” he said.

He called on Nigerians irrespective of their status to contribute toward assisting those in need.

“A man is not defined by how much one has in his or her bank account but how many people he can help.

“A man is not blessed because he can feed his family but one that can meet the needs of others.

“This is the period of sharing and I encourage people to make giving a lifestyle,” he said.

He commended the Restored Destiny Child Orphanage Foundation particularly for judicious use of resources to manage the orphanage.

Mrs Uju Abubakar, a philanthropist, urged Nigerians to extend love to people around them irrespective of religion, political leaning or ethnicity.

She also called on government to do more to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

“Government should put in more effort to cushion the effect of the present hardship in the country.

“So, if you have this love of God and you understand why Christmas came, because the Bible said God so love the world that He gave us his only begotten Son.

“Christianity without love of God or human relationship without true love of God will not achieve or accomplish many things.

“So I encourage and advocate and I preach the word of God. I preach love of God.

She further said, “Part of my ministry is helping widows, the less privileged,” she said.
She added:“With me there are 20 widows that are under the ministry God has given me.

“It is not that the money is surplus but the little God is helping us to get we are helping them. We are sharing the love with them materially, spiritually everywhere.”(NAN)