Information Dissemination and Poverty Alleviation for Sustainable Development: Role of the Church

Abstract

Poverty is a global social problem capable of bringing the worst behaviour out of people: Corruption, sexual decadence, bribery, diseases, educational deprivation, domestic abuse, unemployment, drug abuse and many more. The aforementioned consequences of poverty are traceable to lack of information or inability of people to access relevant information needed for sustainable development. Therefore, the church has a role to play in the development of the people as they engage in providing and disseminating information that could help alleviate poverty. This study aimed at ascertaining information sources provided by the Church, the medium of information dissemination by the church, finding out strategies/programs engaged by the Church towards alleviating poverty and to suggest strategies to improve poverty alleviation in the nation. The study adopted survey research design. The population of study was Christian churches. Pastors were the respondents of the study. Data was collected using self-developed structured questionnaire. It is believed that this study will serve as an eye-opener to some Churches and other religious bodies to see the need to engage in poverty and unemployment eradication. It would also create awareness to the Nigerian government on the impact of the Church in national development and thereby support the church for its sustainability. The study therefore recommended for the Church to take responsibility in making available physical libraries and electronic information centres where people can easily access information.