POVERTY AND ITS EFFECTS

 

Poverty is a situation whereby an individual is unable to provide adequately for his/her basic needs. Poverty is one of the major problems of developing nations, including Nigeria. The high level of poverty in the country has placed Nigeria as one of the poorest nations in the world.

 

EFFECTS OF POVERTY

1.      Poverty can lead to increase in crime rate in the society.

2.      It can lead to break up in marriages.

3.      It can make an individual to be irresponsible in the society.

4.      It reduces the level of savings and investment in the nation.

5.      It increases the level of dependency in a country.

6.      It leads to low standard of living.

7.      It can cause political apathy.

8.      It can heighten social vices in the society.

9.      It can lead to increase in government spending in trying to attend to social needs.

10.    It can cause school dropout of children.

 

IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment is a situation whereby an individual is engaged in a legal and economic venture that enables him/her to provide for the basic needs of life. Employment is important in the direct or indirect alleviation of poverty. Below are the importance of employment in the reduction of poverty in the society.

1.      Employment helps to boost savings and investment in a country.

2.      It enables the individual to provide for his basic needs.

3.      It promotes economic growth and development.

4.      It promotes the standard of living of the people.

5.      It increases government revenue through tax payment.

6.      It reduces crime rate and social vices in the society.

7.      It reduces dependency rate in the society.

8.      It encourages popular participation.

9.      It enhances responsible family life.

10.    It promotes good planning.

 

POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES IN NIGERIA.

Over the years Nigeria has made several attempts by initiating various poverty alleviation programmes to ensure rapid growth and development of the nation. Whether or not these programmeshave performed up to expectation remains a question seeking for an answer. Highlighted below are some of the poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria.

a.     National Accelerated Food Production (NAFP) 1972.

b.    Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) 1976.

c.     Green Revolution (GR) 1980.

d.    Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) the foundation of Better Life Programme (BLP) 1986.

e.     Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP) 1997.

The inability of the above programmes to deliver full result led to the formulation of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in 2001. NAPEP was subdivided into specific schemes:

i.       Youth Empowerment Programme (YES)

ii.    Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme (RIDS)

iii. Social Welfare Development Scheme (SOWEDS)

iv. National Resources Development Scheme (NRDS)

In order to ensure performance of this programme, a council was established to monitor the progress of the various schemes. The council is ‘National Poverty Eradication Council’ (NAPEC).

 

FACTORS THAT PROMOTE GUARANTEED EMPLOYMENT

1.      Provision of Qualitative and Functional Education: There should be a shift from certificate-based education to practical-oriented education. This will enable school leavers to engage in economic productive ventures without waiting for jobs that are not available in the first place.

2.      Provision of basic infrastructural facilities that will enable businesses to thrive e.g. electricity, good road network, etc.

3.      Investment in Agricultural Sector: Many young people are willing to engage in agriculture provided it is made attractive like other sectors of the economy. Farmers should be allowed some level of subsidy in seedlings and be assured of ready market for their products.

4.      Skill Acquisition: People should be engaged in skills acquisition programmes such as fashion designing, plumbing, baking, hair dressing, etc. These skills acquisition programmes can guarantee employment any time any day.

5.      Provision of Credit Facilities to SMEs: Access to soft loan facilities by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will encourage and enhance sustainability of their businesses.

6.      Good Governance: Good governmental policies and programmes that are directed at business growth will ensure guaranteed employment. People will be willing to get engaged when they are sure that public policies will favour their businesses.

 

AUTHORITY

 

Authority refers to the right to command or direct others and enforce obedience. The power of authority is derived from one’s office and from the consent of the people. It implies the acceptance by the people of someone’s right to rule.

This is why even military governments try to legitimize its authority by seeking the consent of the people. In a democratic society, the electorates are the primary source of power and political authority.

Sources of Political Authority

Max Weber, a German sociologist identifies three sources of political authority. They are:

1.    Traditional Authority: This is the right to rule based on customs and traditions. It is hereditary and it is based on norms, customs and tradition of a particular society. It is through this source that Obas, Emirs and Obis derive their political power.

2.    Legal Authority: This type of authority is derived from the body of rules and regulations governing a society. This is called the constitution and could be written or unwritten.

3.    Charismatic Authority: This is derived from the extraordinary qualities, which a person has that enables him to lead others. Charisma is an extraordinary quality, which a person possesses and gives him the right to rule.

Types of Authority

1.    Political Authority: This is the right of political office holders to command, make and enforce policies. The constitution confers such powers.

2.    Military Authority: This refers to the rights of the armed forces to use force to maintain law and order and security in the state.

3.    Traditional Authority: This is the power legitimized by the customs and tradition. This type of authority is acquired through inheritance.

4.    Delegated Authority: This is authority conferred on a subordinate to carry out certain powers on specified matters.

5.    Technical Authority: When a person’s authority is accepted because he is an expert in a recognized field, he has technical authority.

6.    Judicial Authority: This is the authority which the courts and judges have to issue fines or other punishments to individuals, groups or governments.

7.    Administrative Authority: This is the right of the professionals like civil servants and managers to make decisions in their respective offices and secure obedience.

SOVEREIGNTY

Sovereignty is the full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies. It may also be defined as the supreme power of a state to exercise full legal authority over its own affairs within its territory without any form of external control. It is the absolute power of a state to make and enforce laws within its territory without any external influence.

 

Location of Sovereignty in a State

1.    In a Unitary Government: It is possible to locate sovereignty in the central government or authority because it has the supreme power above any institution in the State.

2.    Location in a Federal State: Powers of government are shared between the central, regional or State government. As such the ultimate sovereign power of a State is derived from the constitution.

3.    Location in the Electorate: According to Albert Venn Dicey, sovereign power can be located in the people (electorate) because every democratic system tends to derive its legitimacy from the people.

4.    Location in the Monarchy: In Britain, sovereignty can be located in the Queen in parliament as such the queen has the absolute supreme power.

Location in a Military Regime: In a military rule, sovereignty can be located in the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) presided over by the president. The power of AFRC is unlimited. It is both executive and legislative organ of government

Types of Sovereignty

Legal Sovereignty: this is the power, which a state has to make laws and enforce them. The body responsible for making and enforcing the laws of the state is known as the legal sovereign.

 

Political Sovereignty: in this type of sovereignty, the supreme power is vested on the electorate (the people) to establish their own government through voting. The people’s mandate through the ballot box forms the power of government.

Internal Sovereignty: this is the power of the state to exercise power over its nationals within its territorial areas.

External Sovereignty: in a simpler form, this is defined as freedom from external control. The government has the power to conduct its affairs without external influence.

De-facto Sovereignty: this refers to a body that acquires its sovereignty of a state through force. This is evident through the forceful seizure of government through military invasion or revolution. It uses force to ensure total obedience to its will.

De-jure Sovereignty: in this type of sovereignty, that is acquired in accordance to the laws of the land. It is opposed to the use of force.

 

Characteristics of Sovereignty

1.    Indivisibility: the powers of a state are final and cannot be shared or divided.

2.    Permanence: Sovereignty of a state is permanent as long as the state exists. Government may change but a state’s sovereignty cannot change.

3.    Absoluteness: this means that a state gives order to all and receives order from none. The powers of a sovereign state cannot be limited.

4.     Absence of Foreign control: the powers of a sovereign state are supreme in its own territory and are very free from external influence.

5.    Comprehensiveness: the power of a sovereign state extends over all persons, organizations and associations within its territory.

6.    Inalienability: this means that the powers of sovereignty of a state cannot be transferred. If it is given away, it cannot be regained.

 

Limitations to the Sovereignty of a State

a.     Treaties: Treaties entered into by different states are a limitation to such states. They must respect the terms of the treaty.

b.     International Laws: Every country must abide by the international laws and convention. U.N.O has the capacity of imposing sanctions on any country that defaults.

c.     International Organisations: States that belong to international or regional organisations like U.N.O, OAU, etc, must be ready to abide by the rules governing these organisations. This is a limitation.

d.    Military and technological might of some powerful states: These powerful states can easily influence the economic and political policies of smaller or weaker states.

e.      Resources of States: States with poor resources depend on richer states for different kinds of assistance.

f.       Public Opinion: The opinion of the people, whether internal or external, is powerful and is not what any reasonable government should ignore.

g.     The electorate: The electorate possess political or popular sovereignty in modern states. They have the power to elect and remove political leaders from office or government.

Customs and traditions of the people: In order to obey the customs and traditions of the people, sovereignty of the state may be limited.

a)  

MEANING OF A FEDERATION

Federalism is a system of government in which there is division of powers between two levels of government in a state. It is a system where power is shared between the central government and its coordinating units that is states or regional government. Both levels of government are each legally supreme within their areas of jurisdiction and competence. Examples of countries operating federal system of government are USA, Nigeria, Brazil, India etc.

Federalism is based on the principle of unity in diversity in order to harness the potentials and resources of the component units. A federation is a group of states or regions that are united under one central or federal government. These states or regions which are called federating units are in control of most of their internal affairs, while leaving some crucial issues such as defence, currency, external affairs etc. in the hand of the central government.

Nigeria as a federal state is structured into three levels of government namely; federal government, state government and local government. The Nigeria’s federation could be traced to Macpherson constitution of 1954, which provided for the division of powers between the federal government and the regional government.

Features of a federation.

1.     Sharing of Powers between the federal and State Government: in a federation, political powers are shared between the federal and state governments, and each government exercises the powers assigned to it by the constitution without interference from others.

2.     Independence of the Judiciary: the judges can perform their duty without fear or favour in determination of cases. They are not subject to executive control, their tenure is secured.

3.     Written Constitution: the constitution is usually in written form, that is, codified and rigid. This is why the process of amendment is rigid and cumbersome.

4.     It has at least two Tiers of Government: every federation has at least two tiers of government- the central or federal government and the regional or state government.

5.     Existence of Bi-Cameral Legislature: Bi-cameral

Legislature is one in which there exist two houses of assembly, and is common among states operating federal system. In Nigeria and United State of America, they are called the Senate and House of Representative.

The State Government

The state government is the second level of government in Nigeria. The state government is situated between the federal and local government. A state is much larger than a local government, and there are 36 states in Nigeria. The state government is headed by a Governor, and assisted by a Deputy Governor all dully elected as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution 1999. The governor also appoint commissioners to help in running the state. The state government is made up of three arms of government namely; the legislature, executive and judiciary. These arms have separate powers and functions, but work in such a way as to ensure peace and development of the state.

Importance of the State Government

1.     Provision of social amenities such as electricity, good roads, portable water etc.

2.     Provision of finances and educational materials for all levels of education.

3.     Assisting farmers by providing fertilizers, chemicals, and seedlings at subsidized rate.

4.     Maintaining law and order in the state.

5.     Provision of jobs for the people by establishing industries.

6.     Ensuring peaceful coexistence among the people.

Problems Facing the State Government

a.      Corruption: public fund is being embezzled by government officials and politicians. This affect proper execution of projects which leads to backwardness.

b.     Poor electricity supply and bad road: the state’s inability to provide adequate electricity and good road affects its development.

c.      Insufficient Qualified Staff: as a result of poor remuneration, people prefer to work in private business where they received better pay.

d.     Lack of Fund: the state government is also faced with the challenge of inadequate funds to execute projects.

e.      Revenue Crisis: there is always conflict between the state and local government over revenue generation and sharing.

The Local Government

The local government is the third tier of government at the grassroots. It is the nearest and closest to the people. It is set up to meet the needs and aspiration of the people at the grassroots. Local government is a political and administrative unit empowered by law to administer a specified locality. It is one of man’s oldest institution. In fact, democracy itself originated and developed along the lines of local government initiative in the ancient Greek city States. There are 774 local government areas in Nigeria as contained in the 1999 constitution.

A local government is headed by a Chairman and assisted by other councillors. The local government receives money from both the federal and state government to carry out its programs. This is known as statutory allocation from the federal and state governments. It also gets money through taxes, fines, levies etc.

Reasons for the Creation of Local Government

1.     For Administrative Convenience: local government is created for administrative expediency. There are many functions that will be cumbersome for the state and federal governments to perform because of the distance separating them and the people. These functions can be best and effectively performed by the local government. For instance collection of rates, radio and television licenses and registration of births, deaths and marriages.

2.     To Engender Development. Local government is created to bring meaningful development to the rural areas. As an agent of rural development, local government is to use the funds available to them by both the federal and state governments and its internally generated revenue to improve on the lives of the people within the areas of operation through

(a)             Initiating and attracting developmental projects to the local people such as good roads, water and electricity

(b)             Sustaining livelihoods through the provision of credit facilities for agriculture, arts, craft etc.

(c)              Encouraging the formation of cooperative societies and other economic groups.

3.     To Preserve Heritage and common Interest of the People: the creation of local government is intended to bring people of common heritage or ancestry together as a political unit to further their interests and increase their participation in government business.

Problems Facing Local Government in Nigeria

1.     Problem of Party Politics: the party in power often dominates the local government. Members of other parties are not involved in the running of its affairs even if they are more qualified and efficient.

 

 

 

 

2.     Corruption: there is widespread corruption at the local government level. This is because, the officials use public funds for their own interests instead of them to provide social amenities for the community.

3.     Insufficient Funds: the local government is also faced with the challenge of inadequate funds to execute projects. This is because most state governments do high jack the funds released to the local government by the federal government.

4.     There is problem of qualified and skilled workers: due to poor condition of service and remuneration, people prefer to work in private business where there is good condition of service and a better pay.