As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Chief Executive Officer of Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC), Martin-Mary Falana, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s economic reforms aimed at repositioning the economy for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
Falana made this know in a statement in Makurdi on Saturday against the backdrop of a recent report indicating that an additional 17.9 million Nigerians fell into multidimensional poverty between 2021 and 2024, a development that underscores the economic pressures facing vulnerable households.
He noted that far-reaching economic reforms often come with difficult adjustments, particularly for low-income families, but said the long-term goals of stabilising the economy, attracting investment, creating jobs and expanding opportunities require sustained commitment and effective implementation.
The K&TRC boss commended Nigerians for their resilience, patience and enterprise in navigating current economic realities, describing the endurance of families, especially women, youths and vulnerable groups, as a reflection of the nation’s strength and hope for a better future.
He also acknowledged the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its social intervention programmes, including social investment schemes, targeted financial assistance, agricultural support, student financing and economic empowerment initiatives, designed to cushion the effects of the reforms.
According to him, the interventions have helped to ease financial pressures, sustain livelihoods and improve access to essential services in communities where they have reached beneficiaries, adding that without such measures, the hardship faced by vulnerable households could have been more severe.
Falana stressed the need to strengthen implementation, expand coverage and ensure that government programmes reach those most in need.
He said civil society organisations have a role to play in complementing government efforts at all levels by mobilising communities, facilitating access to services and implementing programmes that build household resilience.
He highlighted K&TRC’s contributions in the last 24 years in promoting poverty reduction through education, child protection, youth development, healthcare access and economic empowerment.
According to him, the organisation has supported vulnerable children with scholarships, learning materials and improved learning opportunities, while promoting school enrolment, retention and prevention of child labour. It has also invested in teacher development, Family Life and HIV Education, as well as Education for Health and Wellbeing.
He added that K&TRC’s youth mentorship, leadership development and experiential learning programmes have helped young people build confidence, life skills and competencies for personal growth and economic participation.
Its economic empowerment programmes, including vocational training, entrepreneurship development, agricultural livelihoods and business mentoring, have also provided youths with pathways to self-reliance, he said.
Falana noted that the organisation’s community health interventions, covering preventive healthcare, HIV and tuberculosis services, malaria prevention, maternal and child health, immunisation awareness, and water, sanitation and hygiene, have contributed to reducing preventable diseases and lowering healthcare costs for vulnerable households.
He explained that preventing illnesses and ensuring timely access to healthcare are critical poverty reduction strategies, as medical expenses and loss of productive time affect household income and wellbeing.
Falana reaffirmed K&TRC’s commitment to supporting government’s development priorities through partnerships and community-based programmes that empower children, young people, women and vulnerable households.
He called for stronger collaboration among government, development partners, the private sector, civil society and communities to consolidate the gains of ongoing reforms and expand social protection and livelihood opportunities.
“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the sacrifices Nigerians are making today translate into lasting opportunities for children, young people and future generations. Government cannot do it alone. As civil society organisations, we must continue to complement government efforts by reaching vulnerable communities, strengthening human capital and creating pathways out of poverty,” Falana said.
He expressed optimism that sustained implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, complemented by civil society and development partners, will translate into improved livelihoods and greater economic opportunities for all Nigerians.
