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Ondo has the lowest poverty level in Nigeria

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By Mercy Kelani

Reports have it that over 100 million Nigerians are living in poverty.

A survey carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed Ondo State as one with the lowest poverty rate in the country with an estimation of 27 percent. Report proves that the survey was conducted according to Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with compliance to five components namely health, security, living standards, unemployment and education.

In contrast to Ondo State, Sokoto State was revealed as having the highest poverty rate in Nigeria with an estimation of 90 percent. It was also disclosed that about 60 percent Nigerians, over 100 million, live in poverty. Nevertheless, Ondo State, having the lowest level of poverty in the country was given an Award of Excellence by the Federal Government on the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) for its performance on Fiscal Transparency and Accountability.

Gov. Akeredolu expanded Mother & Child hospitals from two to seven.

Ondo State governor, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, stated that the priority of his administration is to elevate the Ondo people out of poverty as every activity of the state is a means of tackling the challenges of the people and providing a conducive living society for even the unborn generations. The five MPI components implemented in the estimation of the poverty level portrays the current Ondo administration as one that has reduced poverty through the promotion of economic activities.

Governor Akeredolu assumed governorship in February 2017 with two obsolete Mother and Child hospitals in Akure and Ondo towns. These hospitals became obsolete as a result of loads of debts acquired through consumables, particularly drugs. Upon assumption of office, these hospitals became operative and were expanded across the three senatorial districts of the state from two to seven. His administration also established the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC) and the Ondo State Contributory Health Scheme (ODCHS).

Ondo state govt. established AMCHIS under ODCHC to care for pregnant women.

ODCHC possesses five tailored health insurance products which includes the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme (AMCHIS). AMCHIS is a State Equity Scheme designed for pregnant women and children from 0 – 5 years and is funded by the State Government. The scheme makes provision for sustainable maternal and childcare, post-natal and neonatal care, delivery (caesarean section inclusive), antenatal care and treatment of common illnesses in below-five years children. However, the qualification for these benefits is the Kaadi Igbeayo (Ondo State Residency Card).

The issuance of the card to Ondo State residents is done by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and at no cost to pregnant women as ensured by the state governor. Over 22,000 beneficiaries have been recorded by the scheme with a state budgetary allocation that settles its premium payment. Aside AMCHIS and the provision of medical equipment at the hospitals, the state government is currently financing the construction of a modern world-class 250-bed University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital complexes.

Akeredolu’s administration has provided employment opportunities.

Besides the Healthcare Agency that has enabled the recruitment of about 800 health personnel and UNIMEDTH that recruited over 350 medical personnel, there has been massive infrastructural development in the state. Across its 18 Local Government Areas, 274.11km of roads have been constructed while 120km are currently undergoing construction. Also, Governor Akeredolu’s administration has provided many employment opportunities through the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, employing over 500 young graduates, over a thousand teachers and over 400 health workers.


Related Link

ODCHC: Website

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jdpumping
jdpumping
10 months ago

Wow kudos to ondo state government for a job well done for reducing the poverty rate of its people and in all spheres contributing positively to economy, security, health benefits of the Ondo citizenry.

Adeolastan
Adeolastan
10 months ago

Akeredolu has done nothing in alleviating poverty in Info State, firstly when he came in he meant two mother and child hospital which provide quantitative health for people at cheaper or no cost but now nothing like that, furthermore in the area of employment,he hasn’t done any recruitment into any government agency or parastalta which is 100% fact.All the talk is political not realistic.

Abusi
Abusi
10 months ago

Well the poverty rate level is still high in the country. A lot needs to be done to stop this trend. It s why insecurity has also increased. We need to help out country stand tall.

Ultra0711
Ultra0711
10 months ago

Poverty rate in the country generally is quite alarming. All these is cause by the deteriorated economy which makes the people suffer so much to even meet living cost. Government should do something before the situation exacerbate.

Godsewill Ifeanyi
Godsewill Ifeanyi
10 months ago

The investigation was carried out in accordance with the Multidimensional Poverty Index MPI, which requires compliance with five components, including health and living standards.

Adesanyaj72
Adesanyaj72
10 months ago

Every state initiative is a step toward resolving the problems faced by the people of Ondo, so it’s encouraging that this administration has made poverty alleviation a top priority.

Chibuzor
Chibuzor
10 months ago

Since the current Ondo administration prioritizes economic growth, the five MPI components used to calculate poverty rate give the impression that poverty has been successfully mitigated.

Haykaylyon26
Haykaylyon26
10 months ago

The poverty rate in this country is very high people are suffering due to our poor economy and low productivity level. Poverty level is low in ondo is like they really do what is supposed to be done in their economy and health also

Taiwoo
Taiwoo
10 months ago

Having accumulated huge debts for consumables, especially pharmaceuticals, these hospitals eventually became outdated. These hospitals went into operation and extended throughout the state’s three senatorial districts as soon as their new leaders took office.

Kazeem1
Kazeem1
10 months ago

Many recent college grads, in addition to over a thousand teachers and other health care workers, have found stable employment thanks to the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service jobs created by Akeredolu’s government.

Nwachukwu Kingsley
Nwachukwu Kingsley
10 months ago

The state government is currently funding the construction of a cutting-edge, world-class bed University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital complexes, which will be used to provide medical equipment to the hospitals.

Hassan Isa
Hassan Isa
10 months ago

The poverty rate, alas, remains alarmingly high nationally. We need to do a lot more to reverse this tendency. This is why people feel more unsafe than ever before. We must do what we can to make our nation proud.

Tonerol10
Tonerol10
10 months ago

Very good to hear that Ondo state poverty rate has reduced. The governor of Ondo state is trying but we want all the state in Nigeria to put up a good work for the betterment and more reduction of poverty in Nigeria

Christiana
Christiana
10 months ago

Unfortunately, the poverty rate in the country remains high. Quite a bit of work is required to reverse the current trajectory. As a result, more people are feeling unsafe. Together, we can help our nation stand strong.

Tolaniiii
Tolaniiii
10 months ago

The overall poverty rate in the country is really concerning. The deteriorating economy is to blame, as it makes it difficult for people to cover basic expenses. Our government needs to take something before the situation becomes much more dire.

Bola12
Bola12
10 months ago

It is positive that this administration has made poverty reduction a key priority, as every state initiative is a step toward alleviating the difficulties faced by the people of Ondo.

theApr
theApr
10 months ago

This is great achievement. Other governors should try and pick a thing or two on how Governor Akeredolu’s administration was able to achieve this success. Investing in health, tech and massive infrastructure should be emulated.

Remi1
Remi1
10 months ago

Unfortunately, the nation’s poverty level is still high. Reversing the current course will take a lot of effort. More people are losing hope as a result. We can support our nation’s strength by working together.

Iyanu12345ogg
Iyanu12345ogg
10 months ago

The poverty rate level is still high in the country. Our government needs to take something before the situation becomes much more dire.

DimOla
DimOla
10 months ago

Learning from what is happening in Ondo State, we can actually reduce the rate of poverty in Nigeria. Our government need to do what will reduce the rate of poverty.

SarahDiv
SarahDiv
10 months ago

If Ondo State can achieve these levels of achievement them it is possible for all other state including our federal government to reduce poverty in the nation.