Former Cross River State Governor, Mr. Donald Duke has urged Nigerian leaders to begin to muster political-will and strategy for vision implementation so as to end poverty in the country.

Duke gave the advice at a forum called the Big Idea Podium, organised by the African Heritage Institute (Afri-Heritage) in Enugu on Saturday.

The forum was themed: “Ending Poverty in Nigeria: Using What You Have to Get What You Want.”

He explained that where political-will and strategy were lacking, all efforts by the leaders to move the economy forward would end up in vain.

He noted that for a country to come out of poverty, her economic growth rate must be designed annually and consecutively, at least for the period of 10 years.

The former Governor called for bottom-up economy in Nigeria, which is by way of creating jobs, making credit affordable, providing infrastructure, involving industries in agricultural processes, having quality healthcare delivery services as well as education, among others.

One of the discussants at the forum, Prof. Stella Okunna advised leaders to focus more on education as it enlightens and encourages people.

Okunna called on leaders to discourage early marriage and street begging so as to help the nation come out of poverty.

Another discussant, Prof. Josephine Alumanah called on the government to empower women at all levels in order to reduce poverty in the country.

Alumanah urged the government to discourage multiple taxes on the citizens to promote the enable environment for businesses.

She said that constant provision of stable electricity, food security and jobs for the youths would go a long way to end poverty.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of the Afri-Heritage, Prof. Ufo Okeke-Uzodike said that the leaders needed to create the enabling environment for people to succeed.

Afri-Heritage is an academic think-tank for socio-economic and political matters.

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