The issues of poverty, armed conflict, violence, misuse of arms or armed robbery, assassination, rape, cultism and all sorts of clandestine activities may not end in Africa, where Nigeria is being touted as a giant if the issue of poverty is not addressed.

No doubt, this vice, which is one of the evils instituted by bad governance, has eaten deep into our system.

In Nigeria for example, the minimum wage is N7,500 per month. That translates to N183 per day, which cannot buy a tuber of yam that sells for between N250 and N350, or feed a family of four. What the average person needs are basic things like food, healthcare, educationand security.

Definitely, not everybody can send their wards abroad for schooling or travel outside the country for medical attention or shopping. This is why the implementation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund economic measures must be given a human face. The biggest enemy to peace and democracy is poverty. The welfare of the people must therefore be given priority.

Thoughts must be given to things that add value to life, like education, health, transportation and infrastructure.

Government must guard against the concentration of wealth in few hands while the majority suffers.

The economic gains and dividends of democracy must be allowed to spread as this is the only thing that can cage violence.

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Government must guard against the concentration of wealth in few hands while the majority suffers.

not a big fan of the free market eh? well given the free market is what will eventually save africa not those bunglers in the UN.

Now to get africa to the point that the free market can pull it out of poverty, we need one very specific thing. Education. Your only going to be a cowherd if that's all you know how to do.

I definitly agree with kmk. Poverty is alla round us but we;re so blinded by the well being of other countries that no one wstops to notice the poverty levels in our own countries. Sure Africa and Nigeria are extremley overthrown by poverty, but on the other hand they are two very prosperus countries in natuarl resources. Whats so wrong with using those resources to help out their people?

i agree with helping other countries, but i think we need to help our own country (usa) before we go and try to save the world. we have so much poverty here in our country, it's just not televised w/ a feed the children add.

That is outrageous. I am reading a book now about South africa and the issues that you have stated are brought up throughout the book about the abuse of African people.