Emir of Ilesha counters report on ‘poverty HQ’, says his comments were appeal to seek support from N-HYPPADEC
The Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Prof. Halidu Abubakar, has refuted a report purportedly quoting him as saying that “his township is the headquarters of poverty in Nigeria”.
The Emir invalidated the report in a statement he personally signed on August 13, 2024.
According to the statement, “My attention is drawn to an online publication, which erroneously quoted me as saying that Ilesha Baruba is the headquarters of poverty in Nigeria”.
“That is a statement that a person of my privileged standing cannot be credited with. As a professor of economics and a first class monarch, my public comments should not betray ignorance or fail to put issues in their proper perspective. I do not talk glibly.
“My comments were an appeal to the N-HYPPADEC to support the people of Ilesha Baruba in whatever way that they can as no one is immune from the global economic realities of this moment”, the statement added.
“I had also called on the Federal Government to complement the efforts of the state government in the area of infrastructure and other supports for the people.
“While I raised the issue of tackling poverty nationwide, at no time did I describe my community as the capital of poverty in Nigeria or anywhere. I couldn’t have!
