THEMES OF POVERTY ERADICATION IN FIVE YORÙBÁ SONGS: IMPLICATION FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Available statistics show that majority of the people of Nigeria experience pervasive and high level of poverty. It is a crisis that is habitual and it conveys a message of hardship difficult to deny. The main objective of this study was to trace the contribution of literary works to alleviation of poverty in society and how it can be eradicated. The outcome of this research confirms that laziness, lack of job, and lack of what is necessary for material wellbeing are the causes of poverty in the selected songs. The descriptive research method, using the sociological theory, as postulated by Karl Marx and his followers was used as a methodology and theoretical framework. The study found that poverty can make individuals fail to meet up with their basic and essential needs of life. The major findings of the work show that majority of the people among the Yorùbás of Southern Nigeria exhibit widespread miserly because their living standard has deteriorated due to their low income and hunger. The research submits that unless the society kicks against poverty through handwork, self-reliance and acquisition of entrepreneurial skills, poverty would continue to dominate the society scene. Oral Literature, especially Song is recommended as a tool to fight poverty in Nigeria.