Poverty: Direct your resources to impactful CSR – Minister tells corporate organizations
Akwa Ibom — Minister Appeals for Corporate Engagement in Vulnerable Communities
Dr. Bernard Doro, Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, urged corporate organizations to enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts during a visit to Eastern Obolo Local Government Area on Friday.
Speaking at a multi-stakeholder engagement event, Doro emphasized the importance of tangible, impactful programs that address the needs of vulnerable communities. He criticized the tendency to view CSR merely as a financial obligation, calling instead for a commitment to uplift families and communities through meaningful contributions.
“The resources that companies extract from this land should positively impact the people,” he stated, addressing the prevalent poverty in the oil-rich region.
Doro outlined specific areas where companies can contribute, including clean water projects, classroom rehabilitations, and skills acquisition programs for youth. “Direct resources toward skills training,” he implored. “Direct resources toward clean water that a mother need not walk miles to find.”
The Minister also expressed a vision where a child from Eastern Obolo could aspire to become a nurse, engineer, or business owner, highlighting that such aspirations could be realized through partnership rather than mere observation.
In support of these initiatives, Doro reiterated the commitment of his ministry to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom State Government and local leaders through the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS), targeting assistance for vulnerable families across the state.
Dr. Kingsley Udo, Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, underscored the necessity of collaboration among government, communities, and the private sector to drive sustainable development. He stressed that such partnerships are crucial for delivering impactful results.
Adding to the discussion, Ms. Emem Ibanga, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs in Akwa Ibom, thanked Doro for his visit and reaffirmed that poverty reduction remains a priority under Governor Umo Eno’s administration. She called on corporate organizations to align their investments and CSR initiatives with the needs of the communities they serve, emphasizing that when businesses thrive with their host communities, development becomes more sustainable and inclusive.
The call to action for corporate involvement reflects a growing need for partnerships that can foster genuine progress in vulnerable areas of Nigeria.
