31 January 2008
Lagos — THE Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on Nigerian Government to be more proactive in reducing poverty rate in Nigeria.
The Bishops also emphasized that in order to overcome poverty and achieve sustainable human development in the country, cultural and political criteria have to be taken into consideration.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja on the forthcoming 2008 Lenten Campaign and the first plenary session of the CBCN slated for Febuary 11 in Abuja, the Secretary General, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Mike Ekpenyong said that poverty is one of the ugliest violations of human nature.
His words, "Poverty constitutes a multiple breach of fundamental rights of human beings and above all a violation of the right to lead a decent life. This right basically amounts to being able to live out one"s life as a human being with dignity and pride.
"Poverty however means more than just lack of financial resources as measured by the US one dollar demarcation. Nigeria government has to move from mere talking to action, so that poor in our society will feel the impact".
Rev. Ekpenyoung pointed out that economic factor is also a question of insufficient security and poor and no existing access to service, information and knowledge, adding that the core problems of many poverty situations are the denial of opportunities to participate in economic, social and political life.
He also noted that the first plenary session of the CBCN fall within six weeks of Lenten period, which he said is a period of renewal and healing.
According to him, the Lenten campaign with the theme "Sign of hope poverty reduction and for a better Nigeria", adding that the theme was chosen to let government know that though, things are getting, better, people have to be in a good condition, physically, spiritually and morally.
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