Obaseki’s reforms place Edo among 6 states least affected by multidimensional poverty

On the back of multi-sectoral reforms implemented across various spheres of the state’s economy by Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, Edo State has emerged as one of the 6 states in Nigeria that are least impacted by multidimensional poverty.

The data was contained in the 2021 Nigeria’s Multidimensional Poverty (MPI) released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which stated that multidimensional poverty affects not less than 133 million Nigerians, which represents 63 percent of the country’s population.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, said Governor Obaseki’s reforms across critical sectors of the state’s economy including education, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, entertainment, public service, agriculture, energy, hygiene and sanitation, entrepreneurship, contributed to the state’s impressive ranking in the report by NBS.

Multidimensional poverty is a condition that takes a composite aggregate of a number of indicators that speaks to the deprivations of the poor in a society.

These indicators include nutrition, school attendance, water, housing materials, unemployment, underemployment, food security, years of schooling, water reliability, cooking fuel, time to healthcare, school lag, sanitation, assets and security shock. It provides a comprehensive view of the economic well-being of people in a state.

According to the report, the states least impacted by multidimensional poverty in Nigeria include Ondo, Lagos, Abia, Anambra, Ekiti, Edo and Imo, all in the top seven. States with the highest number of persons impacted by multidimensional poverty are: Sokoto, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Kebbi, Gombe, Yobe, Plateau, Taraba.

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According to Osagie: “The Edo State Government has been quite intentional about its reform programme and we are happy that after six years of driving change, our efforts are being recognized for their impact and how they have improved the lives of the people.

“From investment in healthcare, through the restructuring of the Primary Healthcare System, to massive investments in basic education and the focus on technology and entertainment, we have made a huge impact on the lives of the people. It is heartwarming that the NBS is confirming the impact of the reforms made in the last seven years.”

He noted that though the state ranks 6th on the ranking, efforts are being intensified to improve its position on the ranking, stating that the state’s 30-year development plan provides a roadmap to engender even more inclusive and sustainable development across the state.

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