The wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has called for increased job creation, economic empowerment and human capital development to tackle poverty and ensure that economic growth improves living standards.
She made the call in a statement issued in Awka by her media aide, Daniel Ezeigwe, to mark the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on October 17.
This year’s global theme, “United for Peace and Human Rights”, focuses on “Safe Homes for All”, highlighting the importance of adequate, safe and affordable housing in protecting human dignity and preventing vulnerable households from falling deeper into poverty.
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The scale of Nigeria’s poverty challenge was highlighted in the National Bureau of Statistics’ 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index report, which estimated that 133 million Nigerians, or about 63 per cent of the population at the time, experienced overlapping deprivations in health, education, living standards and access to basic services.
However, Soludo cited the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index Country Briefing by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, which puts Anambra’s multidimensional poverty rate at 9.6 per cent, reportedly one of the lowest in Nigeria and the lowest in the South-East.
“Poverty isn’t just about the absence of money; it’s about the absence of opportunities, dignity, and the means to build a better future for all,” she said.
The Anambra First Lady described the reported figure as encouraging but stressed the need to expand access to economic opportunities and improve residents’ living conditions.
She said the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo was committed to promoting more inclusive prosperity through job creation, practical empowerment programmes, technology-driven initiatives, economic transformation and human capital development.
“Through job creation, practical empowerment opportunities, technology-driven initiatives, economic transformation, and human capital development, we’re creating pathways for Ndi Anambra to rise above poverty and achieve lasting prosperity,” she said.
Soludo emphasised that poverty eradication required sustained action rather than one-off interventions. She urged continued efforts to create conditions that would enable citizens to earn sustainable incomes, improve their welfare and participate meaningfully in economic development.
“The fight against poverty is not a one-day commitment; it’s a continuous mission. We will not rest on our oars until every Anambra citizen has a fair opportunity to live a dignified, productive, and fulfilling life,” she said.
