OPINION THE RAVAGING DISEASE OF POVERTY By: Prof. Tunde Adeniran, OFR

Spread the loveThe World Bank defines poverty in absolute terms. The bank defines extreme poverty as ‘’living on less than US$1.90 per day (PPP), and moderate poverty as less than $3.10 a day. It has been estimated that in 2008, 1.4 billion people had consumption levels below US$1.25 a day and 2.7 billion. Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. More than 80 percent of the world’s population lives in countries where income differentials are widening. Absolute poverty, extreme poverty, or destitution refers to the complete lack of the means necessary to meet basic personal needs such as food, clothing and shelter. By whatever name it is known or defined, poverty is not what a human being should experience because its effects are agonizing to individuals and societies. More than 1.3 billion live in extreme poverty — less than $1.25 a day. 1 billion children worldwide are living in poverty. According to UNICEF, ‘’22,000 children die each day due to poverty. The poorest 40 percent of the world’s population accounts for 5 percent of global income. The richest 20 percent accounts for three-quarters of world income.’’ Around 27-28 percent of all children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or stunted. ‘’The two regions that account for the bulk of the deficit are South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.’’ Poverty is such a worrisome development for humanity such that a paper presented by a respected scholar and erudite political scientist, Prof. Tunde Adeniran is still very useful today in terms of information on how best to confront this hydra headed problem by the global community. The postulations are contained in a speech made by Prof. Adeniran to members