The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) organized a Zonal Consultative Forum at Enugu on 21^st July 2003 as part of its Poverty Eradication Programme in Nigeria. The Forum was attended by DFID representative in Enugu State, Academics, labour and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on poverty issues in the zone. The CDD commissioned research on the zone was presented and discussed at the Forum.

• Poverty in Nigeria is deep, widespread and multifaceted, and needs a renewed reflection on how to deal with it.

• Nigeria is an island of wealth surrounded by sea of poverty.

• It is a shame that Nigeria, the sixth largest exporter of oil in the world and one of the richest 50 countries in the early 1970s has retrogressed to become one of the 20 poorest countries in the world today.

• Poverty denigrates, excludes, mutilates and kills and has become the single greatest violator of human rights in the world today.

• Poverty arises from lack of choice and capability by people to take full part in activities in human society as a result of social exclusion.

• Poverty is not a natural condition. Societies, governments, uncaring international community, unchecked theft and waste of community resources, corruption and mismanagement create it.

• The growing rate of crime in the country is an indication of the level of poverty in the country.

• The Nigerian economy despite its vast resources has not experienced the necessary changes that would generate rapid economic and sustainable growth and acceptable minimum standard of living.

• Poverty is more severe with women than men as a result of exclusion of women from productive work and decision-making, patriarchal nature of our society and lack of access to opportunities.

• The communities purposively selected for the study in the zone included Ohodo and Enugu in Enugu State; Oron and Offi-Udia in Akwa Ibom State; Ubima village and Mile 3 area of Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Umuerim village in Owerri West LGA and Ikenegbu layout and Royce road area in Owerri Municipal council area.

• The Communities studied and the participants defined poverty in relation to inability to feed, clothe, educate and provide medical care for ones family.

• The communities attributed the causes of poverty to environmental causes, natural causes, poor governance and bad community leadership.

• The communities attributed the failure of previous anti-poverty programmes to illiteracy, conflicts, poor management, corruption, lack of information and lack of supervision and monitoring of projects.

• The communities reported that they have been trying to cope with the vagaries of poverty by working harder, doing multiple jobs, borrowing from friends and relations and praying to God.

• There is the need to improve the capacity of CSOs and government to engage in poverty studies, civic education, poverty education and build a critical mass that will promote pro-poor reforms.

• There is the need to consider gender issues in all development planning.

 

• There is the need for Nigeria to embark on pro-poor reform by the people for the people.

• Individuals should strive to work harder, embrace education, practice family planning and avoid reckless expenses such as expensive wedding and burial ceremonies.

• The communities should engage in development activities and work to hold elected official accountable.

• Community Development Unions, CSOs, and the media should do more advocacies on appropriate strategies for poverty eradication and hold elected official accountable.

• Civil society organizations should engage in massive enlightenment campaigns and mobilization of the poor to advocate for themselves.

• CSOs and government should promote good governance, transparency, and accountability.

• Participation of the people in governance is key to poverty eradication.

• Government should tackle corruption in a sincere manner that will reduce or eliminate the present level of impunity.

• Government should give agriculture the priority that it deserves and provide agricultural inputs at subsidized rates and soft loans to farmers.

• Government should abrogate the Land Use Act to create opportunity for people to have access to land.

• Government should build the capacity of poor people through training on skills acquisition and micro-credit schemes.

• Government should provide basic infrastructures like telephones, roads, modern libraries etc.

• Government should formulate good pro-poor policies in all sectors of governance.

• Government should promote industrialisation and the creation of job opportunities.

Mr. Otive Igbuzor Programme Coordinator, CDD	Ms Joy Ogbazi Zonal Researcher
Mr. Uche Wisdom Durueke Zonal Researcher	Ms Stella Amadi Rapporteur