Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says there is no reason the masses in Nigeria are battling extreme poverty when the country is blessed with an abundance of resources.
Atiku, in his Independence Day statement on Friday, said it was regrettable that despite the nation’s vast oil resources, extreme poverty and joblessness have remained persistent.
“There is no excuse that 61 years after independence, extreme poverty is still staring the ordinary citizen in the face,” he lamented.
The former vice president called on the government at all levels to push policies that would lead to improved standards of living for the average Nigerian.
“If this is done, I am confident that the future ahead of us will be brighter and better,” he stated.
Atiku also urged Nigerian leaders at all levels to make the nation’s democracy work for all through justice, equity, fairness and equal spread of development across the country.
He advocated for bipartisan initiatives by political leaders to address the spate of insecurity compounded by joblessness and poor living conditions.
While submitting that the country has come a long way, he urged Nigerians not to surrender to the besetting challenges.
The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was of the opinion that citizens must work together in truth and justice, to overcome the challenges as a stronger and more united country.
