A Call for Compassion: Kaduna Cleric Urges Wealthy to Empower the Poor

Amid growing economic hardship and rising inflation, a Kaduna-based cleric, Pastor Miracle Elijah, has made a powerful appeal to the wealthy and well-to-do in Nigeria, urging them to embrace the responsibility of empowering the poor. Speaking at a humanitarian outreach organized by his foundation, the Rehabilitation and Hope for the Vulnerable in Africa Initiative (RAHVAI), the cleric argued that the task of poverty alleviation should not be left to the government alone.

“I know hunger. I have experienced it. I don’t want others to go through the same if I can help,” Pastor Elijah said. His message, which came during an event where his organization distributed foodstuff to over 1,000 residents, was both a statement of personal conviction and a call to collective action. He explained that while the current economic climate makes it necessary to provide immediate relief through food aid, the long-term vision of his organization is to inspire a culture of sustainable giving. “As we grow, we will not only feed people but also empower them so that they too can help others. That is how we can build a better community,” he stated.

The cleric’s call resonates with a growing public sentiment that government-led social intervention programs, such as palliatives, often fail to reach the most vulnerable, are not a long-term solution, and are sometimes fraught with mismanagement. For many of the beneficiaries at the outreach, the food parcels were a major relief, as they expressed joy and gratitude for the timely support. A commercial tricycle rider, Ibrahim Yusuf, a beneficiary, noted that the intervention was a reminder that ordinary Nigerians could support one another.

Pastor Elijah’s emphasis on empowerment goes beyond charity. He is advocating for a shift from a handout mentality to one that focuses on creating self-sufficiency. This philosophy is gaining traction in Nigeria, where many private individuals and organizations are stepping in to fill the gaps left by a struggling economy and a vast population of unemployed youths. The cleric’s life story, which includes a period where he lived on Kudenda Mountain in Kaduna with no food or shelter, adds a deep layer of authenticity to his message, reinforcing his belief that a society’s strength is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members.