President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to take 100 million Nigerians from poverty to prosperity in the next 10 years.
Buhari disclosed this in his speech at the inaugural June 12, Democracy Day, celebration on Wednesday in Abuja.
The President said that his administration would ensure rapid and positive growth in the economy to move Nigeria away from poverty.
He said databases of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, as well as that of unemployed youths, were being developed by the Federal Government to address the problem of socio-economic inequality in the society.
“In the face of these challenges, our Government elected by the people in 2015 and re-elected in March has been mapping out policies, measures and laws to maintain our unity and at the same time lift the bulk of our people out of poverty and onto the road to prosperity.
“This task is by no means unattainable. China has done it. India has done it. Indonesia has done it. Nigeria can do it. These are all countries characterized by huge burdens of population.
“China and Indonesia succeeded under authoritarian regimes. India succeeded in a democratic setting. We can do it.
“With leadership and a sense of purpose, we can lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
“Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 2.7 per cent this year.
“Our external reserve have risen to 45 billion dollars enough to finance over nine months of current equal commitments.
“This administration has laid a foundation of taking bold steps in transforming our country and delivering our people from shackles of poverty.
“First we will take steps in integrating the rural economy to national economic grade by extending access to input to rural farmers as well as credit to rural micro businesses and opening up many critical feeder roads.
“Secondly, all small scale enterprises in towns and cities would share facilities currently available so that we can continue to encourage and support domestic production of basic goods to improve our lives,’’ he said.
The president added that in the next four years, his administration would remain positive to improve the lives of the people by consolidating on efforts to address many issues.
