An award-winning humanitarian and actress, Ms Jane Rogers, has decried the high rising level of poverty in the country, which according to her, is impacting negatively on children.
Rogers, stated this in Abuja, during the 3rd Edition of Global Impact Awards, with the theme: ‘Poverty Alleviation: Implementing Policies that will galvanise, The Nigeria Economic Development.’
The event had notable personalities and celebrities both from Nigeria and different parts of the world such, Kenya, Ghana, Liberia, Uganda, South Africa and USA in attendance.
She explained that the award was designed to honor exceptional individuals and personalities who have made remarkable contributions on a global scale.
She said: “We go to rural areas, we go to poor communities, striving for reaching communities as we see how we can reach out to them. Honestly, with the economic situation. People are going through a lot. So, we want to use this opportunity to reach out to so many people out there, especially the government, to partner with us to see how this thing spreads across Africa.
“What brought the motivation was because I realized that so many people will just go to an orphanage. Aside, going to the orphanage, there is someone close to you that is actually in need. Sometimes when we go to orphanages, I see a lot of unused things.
“And then someone who does not even have a father may be lacking food that you’re wasting, as many people are focusing on orphanages. We should also reach out to people in our communities and people in our environment that need support, to see how we can help them. So that’s what we’re saying, if you have unused clothes or foodstuffs, if you have anything that you don’t need. Bless someone.”
In his remarks, International motivational speaker and author, Jimmy Asuni, said that he believes that in every disability lies an ability.
He said: “Today, I am here as a symbol of hope to show you all and to remind you all in our fight against poverty not to forget to be inclusive in our policies. Let us all make adequate adjustments to include people like myself in the fight against poverty.
“Poverty is a big issue in Nigeria, as we know over 70 percent of the population is living on less than 1 dollar a day. This is unacceptable with the amount of resources we have in Nigeria.”
Also speaking, Dr. Josephine Abraham, who bags the Most Impactful Personality of the Year award, said: “Most of the poverty that we’re talking about today is only that most of it is in our brains. If you really think about it very well. You discover that it’s possible for you to operate with what you have. When you look down on what you have in your pocket, or looking at what is in another person’s pocket and relying on that.
This year’s Global Impact Awardees are, High Chief Dr. Chetachi Ecton – Woman of the year; Hon. Dr Betta Edu- Global Philanthropist of the year; Barr Uju Kennedy – Women Leadership Awardee; H.E. Amb. Dr. Jonathan Ojadah – Most Outstanding Global Leader of the year; Barr. Emmanuel Ogede – Diaspora Philanthropist of the year; Real Warri Pikin – Most Influential Comedian of the year; Umanu Elijah – Entrepreneur of the year; Jean Francois Merdy (France) – Most Charitable Sport Legend of the year.
Others, include; Amb. Chris Odey – Entertainment Icon of the year; Dominic Goodman (Ghana) – Global Best CEO of the year; TerryG – Legendary Award; Mix Mhaster Jhay (Ghana) – Global Fast Rising Producer of the year; Tutupie Hauwa Skari; Comfort Booth; Rachel Bakam; King Wadada; Amb. Vitus Ekpechi; Baron Meezy; Barr Oluwatoyin Falaiye; Talatu Omokhagbor among others.
