TheCable

Betta Edu, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, says the federal government is committed to lifting 133 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday at a meeting with heads of agencies under the ministry, Edu said this will be achieved through different interventions and initiatives aimed at reducing poverty.

The minister who just assumed office assured Nigerians of her determination to ensure transparency and accountability during her tenure.

“What is most important is that we will keep our focus on lifting 133 million Nigerians out of poverty,” she said.

“We can do it in phases, a step at a time because with determination and strong will, nothing is impossible.

“We will also achieve the feat with the strong political backing from His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu and every member of the cabinet.

“We will play down on politics, we are here to face the real business of governance.”

Edu also said all hands must be on deck to address the rate of poverty in the country.

“Different sources of data suggest that we have a population of 200 million Nigerians, which I think we are more than that,” the minister said.

“Out of this population, the sources indicated that 136 million are extremely poor and that is unacceptable.

“We need to bring smiles back to the faces of Nigerians. We must reach out to those who are underserved and renew their hope.

“While doing this, we must ensure that we will increase our efforts, be very sincere, transparent and accountable.”

Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the permanent secretary of the ministry, assured Edu that they will work as a team to deliver on the mandate of the administration.