By Frank Ulom
A stray bullet has hit Dr Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation over her statement that President Bola Tinubu will eradicate poverty in Nigeria by 20230.
The bullet was shot by one Essien Otu, a Cross Riverian, while commenting on Edu’s statement on Saturday (August 26) in a popular WhatsApp group in the State.
Recall that Edu and Sen. John Owan-Enoh were appointed Ministers from Cross River State by Tinubu based on their track records but Otu seem to differ in his judgment.
He argued that Edu is fooling herself and that Tinubu can not eradicate poverty in the next 7 years owing to the number of people already in deep poverty in the country.
Otu’s comment read: “Betta Edu should please stop fooling herself if she has seen an opportunity to steal from Nigeria’s national cake, let her steal and keep quiet, please.
“How many Nigerians are presently living below the poverty line presently, that TINUBU will use seven years to change their stories.
“Mbok MMA live us alone. You would have been better off as Minister of Information for this administration.”
Countering Otu, another Cross Riverin, Engr Paschal, said the former should not make such statements but rather pray for the administration to succeed.
“She is not fooling herself. That is what she has in mind. And God will answer her prayer.
“Please let us pray for this administration,” he said.
CONVERSEER earlier reported that Dr Edu said President Tinubu has a clear vision of what he intends to do to eradicate poverty in line with the SDGs which should eradicate poverty by 2030.
The Minister said, “President Tinubu believes that by the end of his administration, there wouldn’t be any Nigerian living under one dollar ninety-five cents a day.”
She further explained that Tinubu has put in place robust poverty alleviation and humanitarian plans that will pull vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty.
“We’ll be looking at job creation in millions, providing succour to Nigerians, looking at providing palliatives down to households in the most remote areas in Nigeria.
“So far, the president has set the ball rolling with the release of funds to all the states as a cushion to the effect of subsidy removal as well as some palliatives in the form of food items across the States and distribution is ongoing in various states,” Edu added.
