In the 21st century, poverty has become a major problem for many countries as they battle to sustain development and utilize their remaining resources to support civilization and population growth. Ladies and Gentlemen, population growth is crucial in this respect as it is placing greater pressure on governments worldwide to support these new population figures and to most significantly, employ individuals for proper work. Africa is one such example and in greater detail, the nation of Nigeria is at the heart of the world poverty problem as it helplessly battles disease, civil war and the ability to provide basic needs to its population of 5 million people (AATW, 2016).
This speech will subsequently cover this major problem in Nigeria or otherwise known as a crisis and focus on solutions to this problem from a leadership and third world perspective. These problems need the world’s attention and it is pivotal that other presentations such as the one I am about to make are conducted worldwide so that people can better understand the underlying problem and how to further help it (Al Jazeera, 2014). This speech will also encompass a visualization of how the solutions are pertinent to us who are in a better position and what we can more importantly do to help the problem in both the short and long term.
In firstly covering this major problem in Nigeria, it is pertinent that the history of Nigeria be quickly stipulated in order to generate some idea of just how serious the situation is. The history of Nigeria covers numerous centuries as it consists of a number of different tribes relating to the origins of Swahili (Al Jazeera, 2014). More recently, these tribes and the general culture of Nigeria has been interrupted by an ongoing civil war over land rights and racism. Clashes between cross cultures and racism between black and white populations have led to bloodshed and the destruction of vital resources such as food and water facilities. Furthermore, disease has been rampid throughout Nigeria as it lacks sufficient medical facilities to cater and subsequently treat infectious diseases including primarily HIV and AIDS (AATW, 2016).
Based on its history and lack of resources, the main reason why poverty exists in Nigeria is because of war and insufficient funding and resources overall. Poverty has resulted in up to 80% of the population being infected with either disease or conditions that inhibit their ability to work on the land. Furthermore, Nigeria consist of numerous vital commodities such as gold, silver and iron that can be readily used however poverty and disease are preventing the general population from tapping into these essential and very rich assets of Nigeria (Mike, 2015). The relationship between poverty and disease in Nigeria needs to be further explained as many people who live in poverty in Nigeria are also suffering from an infectious disease. Insufficient medical facilities essentially prolong the disease process and keep many Nigerians out of the workforce for a prolonged period of time. Furthermore, with continued disease and inability of people to overcome more severe infectious diseases, the likelihood of young children from surviving and becoming adults becomes very low and this further detracts from the ability of Nigeria to prosper and develop currently and also in the future. For example, entire families in Nigeria are often plagued with disease with both parents unable to support their children or relatives (Mike, 2015). When families become diseased, there are no facilities that can assist in helping them survive or overcome sickness.
As grave as the problem may sound in Nigeria, in the heart of Africa, there are a number of solutions to this major poverty problem and these solutions can also be applied to other nations in vicinity of Nigeria.
The first solution is to deploy international militaries to Nigeria to assist in resolving the Civil War and preventing further war and issues concerning casualties and disease. Large charitable organizations such as World Vision can also work to provide aide to Nigeria and assist the nation in supporting its people (AATW, 2016). World leaders and specified leadership teams can also visit the country and provide vital advice to the President of Nigeria and other national officials. With crucial leadership and management advice, Nigeria can improve its current assets and resources and focus on the future and how to provide the nation with certain solutions. The reconstruction of vital infrastructure can be regarded as the first step towards some sort of development in the nation and it can also focus on reconstructing medical facilities, which can further alleviate the disease and overall health problem in the nation (Al Jazeera, 2014). If health and disease can be better managed in Nigeria, then it can stand a better chance of developing and solving its current poverty problems.
So one unanswered question in all of this is how can we, as western civilians with all the opportunities in the world, act to save Nigeria from further poverty and crisis overall? Well with constant donations and further support in a political sense, our leaders can start to reach out to Nigeria and provide some crucial advice and aide through the forms that have been suggested in this speech (AATW, 2016). Through public backing, our leaders can do more and we will be able to advocate for change more effectively. Involving ourselves with this issue is vital and very much needed if the world today is to succeed tomorrow. Nigeria does have a chance of survival if its needs are quickly considered and resolved by other nations with greater capabilities and promise overall.
- AATW. (2016). Major Problems Facing Nigeria Today. Retrieved from http://www.africaw.com/major-problems-facing-nigeria-today Accessed on 22nd March, 2016.
- Al Jazeera. (2014). Nigeria: Big economy, big problems. Al Jazeera, Retrieved from http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/countingthecost/2014/05/nigeria-big-economy-big-problems-world-economic-forum-201459164250750975.html Accessed on 22nd March, 2016.
- Mike, U. (2015). What Are the Problems Facing Nigeria Today? WTI, Retrieved from http://www.nigerianobservernews.com/2015/05/what-are-the-problems-facing-nigeria-today-uzochukwu-mike-examines/ Accessed on 22nd March, 2016.
