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Breaking The Jinx Of Poverty
What we see physically as poverty is more of a state of mind, manifesting in various ways in conditions and actions, utterances and thoughts are included as actions. Quite often, the environment and circumstances in which people experience their living and activities usually reflect the state and conditions which the people themselves have created. Therefore, the principal medium of bringing about changes and alterations in the fortunes and circumstances of any individual is the thought process, which we can call personal volition.
Poverty is not a virtue, neither is it an attribute of a truly developed state of being, unless where it is necessity as a means of some atonement. When those who had created deficiencies and imbalance in the past have learned their lessons through experiencing poverty, then, better conditions would emerge eventually. The process of development and maturity does not tolerate one-sidedness, making it necessary that every person must have varieties of experiences and life’s conditions.
Foremost in the requirements to break the jinx of poverty is the application of the power of personal volition, expressed in thinking and value orientation. There must be a definite purpose or goal which encapsulates an individual’s mission in life. Then, such mission statement must dominate the mind with persistence and a genuine volition to see the desired condition become a reality. A success-conscious state of mind is better than pessimism.
Anyone wishing to have a successful life, away from humiliating poverty, should recognise the fact that opportunities to make a change for the better can come in the guise of misfortunes. Without a personal mission statement to which one is committed and truly convinced about, great opportunities coming in the guise of misfortunes or crisis, can be misused or ruined.
One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overwhelmed by temporary defeats.
A second guideline in the regime of breaking the jinx of poverty is the recognition of a psychological law which stipulates that a dominant state of mind is beginning of the attraction and eventual achievement of any desire. A worthwhile goal or desire must not end in the mind but effort must be made to transform it into a reality. This would require planning definite ways and means to achieve the goal; following up such plan with persistence, conviction, enthusiasm and determination. Visualise the goal always.
Without personal conviction, faith can hardly arise and what gives impetus to conviction includes the justice or value of what is being desired. A goal or desire which does not further the well-being of humanity cannot be nourished with conviction because it would lack the justice and value of an instrument of human up-building.
The human intuitive faculty works best when individual desire or goal carry furthering values which can enhance rather than debase the collective good of humanity generally. An earnest volition should carry purity.
To break the jinx of poverty would demand the application of experiences and knowledge which have been organized and utilised before, to improve the conditions of humans. A rich or educated person is not the one who has or knows everything, but the one who knows how to get, organise and utilise available resources to improve conditions. Knowledge includes getting what you want without violating the law or putting the well-being of others in jeopardy. To take right decisions demands the ability to apply such experiences and knowledge which had been of relevant help in the past, in specific contexts.
Having embarked on a task considered worthwhile, it is right to see it to a logical conclusion, rather than quit because there are obstacles. Past bitter experiences should become challenges and spur one to do better in the future. Bear in mind that no single person knows everything; therefore, learn to work with and utilize the experiences of other people. This demands humility and unassuming attitude, rather than conceit. Link your efforts with the right people you need to help make your plans succeed.
To make a positive change demands unswerving courage derived from a personal conviction and the worth whileness of the purpose at hand. Self-control and self-discipline demand the avoidance of anything unethical but the cultivation of a keen sense of justice and fair-play. Success in any task demands doing more than monetary rewards, i.e. going the extra mile.
Willingness to take rather than dodge responsibility is vital for great achievement. This would include cultivating a pleasant personality, showing respect and understanding for others, co-operation rather than confrontation with those around you, and not underrating the intelligence or ability of anyone. We need other people towards enhancement of our efforts for a successful life. Poverty has something to do with personal deficiencies which must be corrected.
Unfavourable hereditary or family background which hinder a free expression that stifle the mind can account for poverty. Indolence, lack of personal initiatives and ambitions, fear and a complacent attitude are not success-friendly. Fear kills dreams, hopes and aspirations, and, anyone wishing to break the jinx of poverty must not allow fear to keep him back from his dreams and hopes. Neither must indoctrinations which stress fears and docility be allowed to destroy personal aspirations.
Breaking the jinx of poverty demands an individual to take some bold steps, speak up and offend where necessary, rather than die in silence. Neither must anyone become a door-mat for others to trample upon. Other personal deficiencies associated with poverty, include procrastination, unbridled sexual appetite, unethical lifestyle which wants to get something for nothing, unstable family life manifesting on lingering disharmony. Poverty will flee where there is success-conscious state of mind, coupled with diligence and patience.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.