The Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, has delivered a lecture at Clifford University, Owerrinta Ihie in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia state.
Vice Chairman of the University, Professor Chimezie Omeonu, said that The Abia Governor’s wife is the first to lecture in University’s Eminent Personally Lecture Series.
Text of the lecture as delivered by Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, Ph.D with the topic,
THAT THEY MAY SURVIVE
A CLARION CALL FOR MINISTRY TO THE NEEDY
I am delighted to be here, as the first lecturer at the Clifford university eminent personality lecture series. I feel honored!
I have for long been concerned, with the plight of the poor and needy among us.
Questions such as, how do we care for them?
What do we do to make life bearable for them?
How do we help them gain some recognition in the larger society?
How do we encourage them?
Especially in time of sickness or in time of need?
These questions are my concern.
My Bible tells me that “If a man shuts his ears, to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered” (Prov. 21:13). Proverbs 19:17 also says, “whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and he will reward them for what they have done”.
I would rather help the poor and the needy, receive God’s reward and blessings, and I wish you will too.
The situation of the poor and needy, should be of grave concern to each one of us. Hence, I have titled this lecture, “That they may survive: A clarion call for ministry to the needy”.
THE CONCEPT OF THE POOR AND NEEDY
I am not going to bore you with the dictionary meaning of poverty, or what it means to be in need.
Why? Because all you need to understand poverty is to just take a look out of the window, or take a stroll down the street.
We all know what it means to go to bed without dinner or to be sick and not have a place to run to, or to wash your only wrapper at night in order to use it the next day.
Poverty has become a part of us. While I admit that everyone has one need or another, the way we react to poverty and needs depends on the individual. That is why many believe that poverty is relative rather than absolute.
The universality of the needs of mankind entails that no human is free from need; but our needs vary. Some lack food, others lack affection and relationship, while others lack spiritual fulfilment. So, if we realize this, we will be in a better position to support one another. If you isolate your children and train them only, while the children of your neighbor or brother are deprived and poor, then the life of your child will be endangered.
Poverty is a state of not having enough material possession or income to provide one’s basic needs/ necessities, like food, shelter, clothing, education, healthcare, etc.
KINDS OF NEEDS
A renowned psychologist, Abraham Maslow created a hierarchy of needs. He affirmed that some needs take precedence over others. Human needs are universal and varies, the problem is the level of the need. But the one synonymous with poverty is the ones at the base of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. They are acute and necessary.
Below is a pyramid of needs as propounded by Abraham Maslow. Let us see Saul Mcleod’s explanation of this pyramid according to levels.
In-depth analysis of Maslow’s pyramid of needs enables us to understand the urgency that nature naturally places in our various needs.
There are five levels of needs in Maslow’s pyramid: physiological needs safety needs, love and belongingness needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs.
The physiological needs and safety need together make up the basic needs.
The basic needs are existential. Individual need them to survive and sustain life: food, water, shelter, clothing, warmth and rest. It is this level of need that defines poverty. When we say physiological, it means the normal function and mechanism of human body. The formation/function of the body. These needs are natural and can only be solved by positive responses. For example: the solution to hunger is to eat food. If there is nothing to eat, you will be tired, and possibly get sick, not having strength to do any other thing. In the same way, thirst can only be quenched by drinking water, clothing and shelter are necessary for warmth, rest is very essential for a healthy living. Imagine postponing sleep to the point of breaking down. Due to lack of rest, some people often sleep off while driving, some others even in their offices.
The security and safety needs can be financial, medical, safe environment or job security. When there is insecurity, every other need becomes secondary, because people will look for safety first in unsecured situations, before thinking of satisfying other needs
It is when you have food, safety, and warmth that you can start thinking of emotions, belongingness, friendship, love, or acceptance. When you have the basic needs, one can now look for a way to achieve self-esteem, self-respect, prestige and accomplishment. One now wants to be educated, go to school, acquire skills or even engage in any vocation, so he can have a feeling of accomplishment. The individual will now have a choice of what to study, e.g., Law or Medicine, and also choice of school to study in, e.g., Clifford, or Babcock, etc.
CAUSES OF POVERTY OR NEEDINESS
Previous Authors have identified many causes of poverty. For the purpose of this paper, we will look at 14 of them. In any case, poverty or neediness pre-supposes trait. Your net expenditure is consistently greater than your net income, leaving the individual with a negative balance.
Unemployment. This means there will be no income to meet needs.
Increased rate of population growth. This results in the multiplication of needs. (Large families/ many children).
Less productivity in agriculture. Staple food cannot be sourced in a cheap/sustainable way, having you to buy everything. Hence, enough food is not available.
Inflation. High cost of goods and services makes them unaffordable.
Inheritance laws. These may deprive people of their legal rights.
Rigid tradition and customs also lead to deprivation of rights.
Laziness. Poverty is said to be the older brother of laziness.
Corruption and greed. These deprive others of the basic amenities they need for survival.
Lack of education. Education guarantees a better life even for the poor. It provides several options for the individual to make out a living.
Wrong choice of occupation/profession. This can lead to much stress and eventual failure, especially in old age.
Unequal distribution of income.
Lack of social amenities that help people in their small businesses, e.g., light, water, good roads, etc.
Disasters. Both natural and man-made. E.g., fire incidents, floods, insurgency, etc.
Injustice to and exploitation of people. These also lead to poverty.
EFFECTS OF POVERTY
The consequences of neglecting the vulnerable population reverberate in many dimensions like: increase in crime, social vices, child abuse, child molestation, human trafficking, human right abuse, and poor national productivity.
It is said that poverty leads to poverty. The vicious cycle of poverty implies forces to act and react upon one another in such a way as to keep the cycle going. I will like to represent the vicious cycle of poverty as slated below.
Once expenditure supersedes income, you drift into the vicious cycle.
Lack of basic needs leads to poverty. When your expenses is higher than income continuously, the gap continues to widen negatively the person gets poorer. It is said that “He who goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing”. Never spend more than your income. If your income is one hundred thousand, do not spend more than that. Make allowance for savings. No amount is little or small to be saved.
Poverty, from the diagram, relates to:
Lack of basic needs- food, shelter, water, healthcare.
Inability to pursue ambition and knowledge
Disease and low productivity
SOCIETAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE POOR/NEEDY
Different societies see the poor and the needy in different ways. Some societies and government make provisions for them through social welfare policies. Others look down on them, and deny them their rights. But there are still those who show sympathy and extend helping hands to the poor and the needy.
There is a saying that “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. But another says – that a friend in need is a bloody nuisance. The concept of humanity among human kind is that, when we talk of humanity, we are talking of empathy, love, care, sharing, etc. A friend in need is an opportunity to be a friend indeed not a nuisance.
Hajia Mohammed in her article explains that the major religions of the world stress love for one another, respect for human dignity, charity, generosity and humanitarian works. The poor needs a sense of belonging as members of the human community. One agrees with her when she expounded that caring for the vulnerable is a way of upholding the dignity of the individual and respecting their right to life and happiness. Caring for them will save life and engender peace in human society. By nurturing and supporting those who are young and skillful. National productivity would be enhanced. Caring for the vulnerable groups involves, first, identifying with them, recognizing them, showing them respect, and love, counselling them, listening to them with empathy, caring for their needs.
Also, it involves advocacy, calling and drawing the attention of some individuals and relevant authorities to them. This will also necessitate activities that engage them emotionally, socially, and economically. Among these groups are talents and potentials that could be honed and channeled to productive ventures for the benefit of all.
WAYS TO HELP THE POOR AND THE NEEDY
Helping and caring for the poor and the needy is good and noble. The support for the poor, needy and vulnerable members of our community can be classified into two ways: Government and Non-Governmental support.
Non-Governmental ways of supporting the poor, needy and vulnerable members of our communities can be done through non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charitable organizations, churches, groups, and individuals.
Raise Awareness: it is said that information is power. People need better understanding of the plight of the poor, needy and vulnerable members in our communities. Understanding their needs, desires, the effects of helping them and or ignoring them will help people to look into ways to help and support them. So the NGOs, charitable organizations, churches and individuals need to sensitize and mobilize people, groups, families, friends, co-workers, and the philanthropist.
Use your voice – be an advocate- speak on their behalf.
Individuals to volunteer at the NGOs- render help with service ad goods.
Stay updated about issues relating the poor, needy and vulnerable.
Churches:
Teach and preach love, care, empathy and service.
Pray for the poor, needy and vulnerable.
Let them know they are God’s children, a special and important part of the society.
Delegate responsibilities to them – they need a sense of belonging.
Donate old belongings: clothes, shoes, household items, food and drinks.
Donate to NGOs that are trustworthy – give them resources to continue operation.
Divert money from unnecessary purchases – stop buying things you do not need, stop spending on things that are not necessary. Donate the money or provide what they need.
Social media: This is one of the fastest and easiest ways to share information about the poor, needy and vulnerable members. It is an avenue to reach a lot of people – Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, phone calls, video calls, etc.
Use your power and influence to share information about them –
Some need a chance or an opportunity
Others need encouragement in their technical and vocational skills.
Personal financial help: individuals, philanthropist can help and support these families financially.
Adopt a child or a family – provide for their needs.
Adopt a family and give them money monthly to support them.
Train a child in school or in any vocation of his choice.
Help the children with scholarship and grants.
Fund raising: use your influence and power to raise funds to support the poor, needy and vulnerable.
Help them start a trade.
Help them to be independent
Teach them how to fish – stop giving them fish.
The poor/needy – practical ways for the poor/needy to help themselves out of poverty.
Reduce expenses, by cultivating your own backyard farm where you can grow vegetables, fruits.
Enroll your children in nearby schools to avoid transport expenses.
When you buy items, choose durable items that will not need to be replaced within a short time.
Spend money on your needs, not your wants.
Train your children on the fear of God, pray for and be with your children. Show them love and respect.
Do not be lazy, do not be arrogant. Start small and grow.
Governmental support for the poor, needy, and the vulnerable can be done at three levels: Federal, State and Local governments.
Ways Government, both Federal, State, and Local government can help.
Education: –
Free education especially up to secondary school level.
Compulsory education for the girl-child up to secondary school level.
Scholarships for children of the poor, needy and vulnerable to tertiary institutions.
Provide conducive learning environments for all children. Equipped classrooms, laboratories, and office.
Pay teachers regularly
Access to technology/innovations in schools.
Healthcare: –
Provide adequate healthcare facilities – hospitals, healthcare centers.
Free healthcare for mother/child
Subsidize medications
Social services: –
Free housing
Subsidized transportation
Safety nets for the vulnerable, e.g. soft loans, startup funds, targeted projects in small and medium enterprise, Agriculture, and grants.
Empowerments and availability of skill acquisition programmes.
Assistance to farmers in the rural areas.
MORAL CONSOLATION
It is important that we respect and uphold the self-esteem of those we intend to support. We are expected to give them a hand up and not a hand out. Giving them moral support, showing them respect, makes them aware that someone cares. By Providing them with the opportunities to improve their conditions on their own would increase their self-esteem and help them in overcoming barriers they face every day. Work with the poor and needy people and help them discover their own capabilities and capacity and putting them to use at the right place at the right time. Support them and let them know that they have something of value which can be used to meet their basic requirements. They need information and enlightenment. They need to be counselled. They need support and empowerment. Those especially in the youth category, need training, coaching and nurture and mentoring.
THE RELIGIOUS ANGLE
From various passages of the bible, God already knew that there will be needy and poor people in the world. Heaven expects us to be hands and feet to the amputated, eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, strength to the faithless and disillusioned, he expects us to clothe the naked, give water to the thirsty, and food to the hungry. From the onset, God pronounced abundant blessings on those who care for and help the poor. In Deut. 15:7, the instruction is: Do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. Rather, be open-handed and freely lend him whatever he needs. Verse 11 goes on to add that “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and towards the poor and the needy in your land” (NIV).
In Psalms 41:1, we read “Blessed is he who considereth the poor, the Lord delivers him and preserves him in times of trouble”. Caring for the poor and needy even out of the little you have, will provoke heavenly blessings in abundance for you. As such, he that lives to give, will live to receive. The opposite of this situation looks like a constant as Prov. 21:13 says, “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered”. To avoid this ugly situation, Isa. 1:17 tells us among other things to “Learn to do right; seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow”. This is followed by what theologians often call the glorious invitation: “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord” (verse 18).
It must be pointed out that biblically, it is not only in providing the physical and material needs of the poor that we are enjoined to do. We are to be the voice of the voiceless and offer free legal services to those who cannot afford it. After the death of their husbands, some women are dispossessed of their husbands’ properties and left with little or nothing to take care of themselves and their children. No wonder Prov. 31:8-9 enjoins us to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy”. These are Heaven’s expectations of us all.
Even in the New Testament, the message is the same and the concept is not changed. We are enjoined to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper; seeing to it that they get on well in life. In the same vein, Jesus admonished us to invite the poor and the disabled to our social gatherings. His counsel is firm and direct. “When you give a dinner, invite the poor, the cripple, the lame, the blind; and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” Luke 14:13,14 (NIV).
COUNSELS FROM THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
Ellen G White, in her book, Testimonies for the church, said and I quote! “The Church should appoint persons of discernment and wisdom to look after the needy members”. I add that if every Christian church will do this, the plight of the widows and orphans as well as other needy persons in our population will be better. What is more, in Christ’s Object Lessons, p.370, we read that God expects his people to use their means to minister to the needy’. If this is God’s requirement for each of us, I urge everyone to fall in line. In simple terms, this is what it means to emulate the life of the universal Life giver, Jesus Christ.
There is another dimension to it all and that is the concept of unknowingly feeding and taking care of the angels of God. Angels can come to us in the person of the poor and needy. The Desire of Ages, p. 639 informs us that “Angels are welcomed when we open our doors to the needy”. And when this becomes the case, “Gifts to the needy results in blessings to the giver”. Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 218. Indeed, Heaven is happy with anyone that goes out of his or her way to cater for the needy and the poor ones among us.
A very important and unique responsibility hangs on the head of every man or woman who claims to be a child of God. In Christian Service, p. 343, we are told that “God’s people are to divide with the needy what He (God) has given them”. Thus, a large part of the blessings we have received from God, we need to share with the poor and needy. This is the definitio0n of Christianity in practical terms, period. We are to share whatever we have with those who need them. We no longer use most of the items yet we keep them or throw them away. Please pass them on and the Lord will bless you.
BENEFITS OF ASSISTING THE POOR AND THE NEEDY
When you put smiles on people’s face, you will feel satisfied and happy in obeying God’s commandment.
Mental floss gives seven scientific benefits of helping others.
It can help you live longer
Altruism is contagious
It makes us happy
It may help with chronic pain
It lowers blood pressure
It promotes positive behaviours in teens
It gives us a sense of purpose and satisfaction
In helping others, you are obeying God’s command.
This means that giving is not only for the good of the receiver. Even the giver benefits from his giving. We can all testify to the fact that one experiences joy in one’s heart when you put smiles on somebody’s face. Assisting others attracts blessings to you, promotes good health and is a good example to others especially younger ones. It reduces crime and makes our neighborhood safer.
MY AVENUE OF SERVICE
(A) OFFICE OF THE WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR
Permit me to share a little bit of my experience and intentions as the wife of the Governor.
Helping others gives a feeling of satisfaction and happiness. The habit of supporting others must be cultivated from the home. I grew up in a ‘home for all’. Our parents harboured and brought up many people and were always reaching out to people in one form of need or the other, and am glad I also married into a home with same ideology. However, my position now as the Wife of the Governor has helped me to actualize the desire to expand the reach of benevolence. On several occasions, the office of the Wife of the Governor with the help of the Governor, has made interventions in the lives of Abians. From paying hospital bills to skill acquisition and empowerment, award of scholarships to indigents students, provision of articles of clothing and food stuffs to elderly women and widows, rescuing people from abusive and violent relationships, to free school meals which have led to considerable increase in school enrollment. The office has impacted positively on residents of Abia state.
(B) VICAR HOPE FOUNDATION
My NGO – the Vicar Hope Foundation (VHF) which many of you may have heard about, has continued to play a vital role in uplifting the lives of Abians. The Foundation has various programmes, many of which are targeted at the poor, the needy, the indigent especially in the areas of health, empowerment and indigent housing scheme.
In our effort to break the cycle of sickle cell disease and reduce the suffering that comes with it, the VHF set up Sickle Cell Care and Diagnostic Centers in Umuahia and Aba where they care, manage and counsel the patient at a subsidized cost. The Ohafia centre will be ready soon.
The Foundation was instrumental to the passage of the Abia State Law on Blood Groups and Genotype identification which seeks to encourage people to know their genotype and have it written on their identification cards. This knowledge will help young people to make informed choices as they chose their marriage partners.
In addition to these, the Vicar Hope Foundation facilitated the establishment of Sickle Cell Care and Counselling Centres in the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State. Through those Centres, Vicar Hope distributes routine drugs to sickle cell patients and also affords them a more accessible care.
What is more, Vicar Hope Foundation has set up a breast cancer programme that includes, sensitization, examination and diagnosis. The Foundation has acquired a new 20 Senographe Mammography Machine, adjudged to be the best in the State. The Foundation offers free clinical breast examination to women in perpetuity.
Vicar Hope Foundation has undertaken several projects targeted at the poor.
Some of which include:
Training of more than 300 health personnel on Neonatal Resuscitation and Basic Life Saving/Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and some other agencies, in collaboration with American Heart Foundation, Nestle Nutrition Institute of Africa, Jemisun Health Services, USA Inc. and Nigeria Institute of Neonatal Medicine.
Constant Hospital visitation and settling the medical bills of indigent patients.
Maternity kits distributed to 1,350 expectant mothers.
Construction of 170 three-bedroom and two-bedroom bungalows for indigent Abia families under the Vicar Hope Foundations’ Widows/Indigent Shelter Scheme (WISS).
Skill acquisition training for 1,065 persons currently on going in phases. 450 have been trained and set up with a start-up capital and equipment. Training for another 150 has been completed with plans to set them up.
1,532 women have received empowerment equipment to start small businesses
328 wheelchairs and crutches have been distributed to the physically challenged
40,000 books and learning materials distributed to pupils in various schools.
Fitting of a prosthesis to 150 amputees
Construction of 17 rural markets
Water and Sanitation (borehole and toilet) projects in 9 rural communities
We are thankful to God that our work in areas of women’s economic rights and empowerment has earned the Vicar Hope Foundation the prestigious conferment of the United Nations ECOSOC Special Consultative Status.
A CLARION CALL FOR MINISTRY TO THE POOR AD THE NEEDY
Neediness will always be with us. Jesus himself said that the poor will always be with us. And there is nothing wrong with people needing help and support. We have a duty to uplift those living in anguish emotionally, physically and materially.
Caring for the needy and less-privileged is a vocation for those who have the calling and the aptitude. It requires interest and passion, attentiveness, commitment and dedication, empathy, devotion of time, skill and material resources.
Every human being should help alleviate the suffering of another. Whether you are a student, a worker, or whoever, there is something you can do for someone else. We must remember that whatever we are or have, is only by the grace of God.
Igbo people say that ‘money is a visitor’ meaning that it can come and can go. No condition is permanent. It has been advised that we treat people well on our way up because we will meet them on our way down.
Some students are in a position to help others because they are well to do. Some of them come from very comfortable backgrounds and can help their indigent colleagues and mates to complete their education. In doing so, they help build someone’s future and help somebody maximize his potentials.
The Bible we read every day says in Proverbs 19:17 that “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord. And he will be paid back what he has given”. The same Bible says that “He who waters, shall also be watered. What is holding us?
There are, on ground, State structures designed to help the poor and the needy, like the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Youth Development, The National Directorate of Employment, the Scholarship Board, Abia State Free School Lunch Programme and other social interventions and investment programmes designed to help the poor and the needy. Some of them need to be reinvigorated though.
CONCLUSION
I took the liberty of mentioning these interventions, not for any self-praise, but to directly request everyone in this audience, to please do something in your little corner to help the needy and the poor. Those requiring our help and assistance are everywhere around us. We know them, we see them. They are in our villages, in our communities, in our State, all around the nation, in every part of the world. They are also in our hostels. Do not be indifferent. There is something we all can do. When we do that, we too can live in peace and the society would be better for it. Rise up and get on your way to help somebody. For those who are presently in a place where they need support, I urge you to apply the aid you get judiciously with thanksgiving and continue to hold on to the virtues of hard work, honesty and dedication. God can change your circumstances in a twinkle of an eye. Heed this clarion call to minister to the poor and the needy that they may survive. He that lives to bless others will be blessed. And may you be blessed as you become a source of comfort and good life to the needy
Thank you for listening.
