Poverty And Its Effects SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note

Poverty is a situation whereby an individual is unable to provide adequately for his/her basic needs. Poverty is one of the major problems of developing nations, including Nigeria. The high level of poverty in the country has placed Nigeria as one of the poorest nations in the world.

EFFECTS OF POVERTY

1. Poverty can lead to an increase in the crime rate in society.
2. It can lead to a break-up in marriages.
3. It can make an individual to be irresponsible in society.
4. It reduces the level of savings and investment in the nation.
5. It increases the level of dependency in a country.
6. It leads to a low standard of living.
7. It can cause political apathy.
8. It can heighten social vices in the society.
9. It can lead to an increase in government spending in trying to attend to social needs.
10. It can cause school dropouts of children.

IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment is a situation whereby an individual is engaged in a legal and economic venture that enables him/her to provide for the basic needs of life. Employment is important in the direct or indirect alleviation of poverty. Below are the importance of employment in the reduction of poverty in the society.

1. Employment helps to boost savings and investment in a country.
2. It enables the individual to provide for his basic needs.
3. It promotes economic growth and development.
4. It promotes the standard of living of the people.
5. It increases government revenue through tax payments.
6. It reduces the crime rate and social vices in society.
7. It reduces the dependency rate in society.
8. It encourages popular participation.
9. It enhances responsible family life.
10. It promotes good planning.

POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES IN NIGERIA.

Over the years Nigeria has made several attempts by initiating various poverty alleviation programmes to ensure rapid growth and development of the nation. Whether or not these programmes have performed up to expectation remains a question seeking an answer. 

Highlighted below are some of the poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria.

1. National Accelerated Food Production (NAFP) 1972.
2. Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) 1976.
3. Green Revolution (GR) 1980.
4. Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) 
5. The foundation of the Better Life Programme (BLP) 1986.
6. Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP) 1997.

The inability of the above programmes to deliver full results led to the formulation of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in 2001. NAPEP was subdivided into specific schemes:

1. Youth Empowerment Programme (YES)
2. Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme (RIDS)
3.  Social Welfare Development Scheme (SOWEDS)
4. National Resources Development Scheme (NRDS)

To ensure the performance of this programme, a council was established to monitor the progress of the various schemes. The council is ‘National Poverty Eradication Council’ (NAPEC).

FACTORS THAT PROMOTE GUARANTEED EMPLOYMENT

1. Provision of Qualitative and Functional Education: There should be a shift from certificate-based education to practical-oriented education. This will enable school leavers to engage in economically productive ventures without waiting for jobs that are not available in the first place.
2. Provision of basic infrastructural facilities that will enable businesses to thrive e.g. electricity, good road network, etc.
3. Investment in the Agricultural Sector: Many young people are willing to engage in agriculture provided it is made attractive like other sectors of the economy. Farmers should be allowed some level of subsidy in seedlings and be assured of a ready market for their products.
4. Skill Acquisition: People should be engaged in skills acquisition programmes such as fashion designing, plumbing, baking, hairdressing, etc. These skills acquisition programmes can guarantee employment any time any day.
5. Provision of Credit Facilities to SMEs: Access to soft loan facilities by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will encourage and enhance the sustainability of their businesses.
6. Good Governance: Good governmental policies and programmes that are directed at business growth will ensure guaranteed employment. People will be willing to get engaged when they are sure that public policies will favour their businesses.