An NGO, Gani Adams Foundation, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to put in place measures that would improve the living conditions of the less privileged and physically challenged during crises.

Mr. Gani Adams, the Founder of the organisation, made the plea at a ‘Nigerian Humanitarian Summit’ in commemoration of the 2015 United Nations World Humanitarian Day held in Lagos.

Theme of the summit is: ‘Improving Living Condition of the Poor, The Less Privileged and the Physically Challenged during Crises in Nigeria.’

Adams said: ``Government should continue to build and improve on the infrastructure that makes life and living condition easier for people.

“It should act swiftly on matters that border on human rights, abuses and social injustices.

“It should also increase budgetary allocations to education and increase access to civic enlightenment.

“If these are done, we shall in several ways, improve the living conditions of the poor, less privileged and physically challenged during crises in Nigeria.”

He said that poverty was compounded by the problem of insurgency being experienced in the North-Eastern part of the country.

“Women and children are vulnerable and are especially affected because of the ongoing struggles with poverty, insecurity, hunger, poor health and environmental decline.

“The foundation’s decision to organise this year’s programme around this theme is also informed by the need to surmount increasing economic pressures and violent confrontations.

“These are occasioned by poverty, natural disasters and rising numbers of people displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents.”

In his remarks, Prof. Alfred Aggrey-Fynn, said that nobody in Nigeria should be described as less privileged, as by all standards, the country was a rich nation.

The Guest Speaker, Prof. Aggrey-Fynn, said, for example, that Nigeria is the highest producer of crude oil in Africa and number 12 in the world by the 2010 rankings.

Aggrey-Fynn, who is a Professor of Economic Development Programme in North American University, Republic of Benin, said: “Nigeria is also adjudged the largest economy in Africa at present; therefore, if all the resources of Nigeria, both manpower and materials resources, are properly harnessed and directed, all Nigerians should be above the poverty line.”

Aggrey-Fynn urged the government to create a task force on the eradication of poverty in the country.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, Mr. David Anyaele said that humanitarian services in Nigeria were still at its low level of development.

Anyaele said this was due to the constraint that had to do with political, economic and social factors.

“As a result, the emergence of humanitarian services in the country was still very low.

“You can see what is happening in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. In 2012, we had flood issues that ravaged the country, and a lot of funds were raised for such purposes. But scaling some of these activities to bearable standards remains an issue.”

Anyaele said that people with disabilities (PWDs) were not visible in emergency situations as their voices were not being heard.

“We urge stakeholders to take appropriate steps to ensure that services being rendered by humanitarian services are designed in such a way that PWDs will benefit.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Adams

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