The statistics are damning no doubt, that about 53.6 million Nigerians go to bed hungry every night, United Nations survey reveals.  The above figure form nearly 45 percent of the total population of a nation with the highest proportion of black population in the world,
As if this is not bad enough,  70 per cent of the about 150 million Nigerians live below globally accepted survival line of one dollar or N150 per day. As a Chinese proverb puts it, ‘Teach a man to fish and he will feed a nation’

However, eradicating absolute poverty globally is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations. Where at least 50 per cent of the world population of over 6 billion people are expected to have access to adequate food by 2015, in over 204 countries of the world.

Poverty is one of the most serious problem confronting Nigerians today. Dr. Magnus Kpakol, Co-ordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), once said, “the whole nation will be made to realise that the fight against poverty is everybody’s responsibility and that effort would be made to mobilise resources across the nation towards eradicating poverty,”

He pointed out that since there already exists the political will at the top, all that was required was the collective will for the fight against poverty to be successful. This statement may have motivated Nigerian Breweries (NB), makers of the Star Larger with the introduction of the Star Game show to play the role in the fight against poverty.

The Star Television Game Show is a yearly consumer engagement scheme through which the Star beer rewards consumers of the brand for their loyalty.

The show, which runs for eight weeks will produce three winners every week, thereby empowering three families every week, whilst reducing poverty level in each of the families; which in effect means that 24 families will leave the poverty line in 2010 as a result of the programme. At every of the show, thirty contestants, drawn from across the country, will be divided in three groups (A, B and C) of 10 contestants each, out of which three individuals, who picked an access cork, represents the group in the various tasks of the day, that test their knowledge about the country.

The winning team is rewarded with N1million, with others going home with consolation prizes. Meanwhile,  the Star TV game show goes beyond empty promises made to Nigerians upon the assumption of office by political office holders.

Twenty six year_old Chioma Onyido, an unemployed graduate, said, “I was indifferent when I was initially invited to partake in the games, but I put my trust in God because I know with Him, all things are possible. As I am now, I still think I’m dreaming.”
Dennis Osoboh, a 27 year old orphan and Marketing Agent said he would forever remain grateful to God and Star for his change in fortune due to the enormity of responsibilities that he shoulders due to the fact that his parents are no more.

“Being an orphan, I’m very grateful to the Almighty God for this victory. Things haven’t been very smooth for me because since the death of my parents, I have been catering for myself and my siblings all alone. This prize money will enable me to invest in various businesses, further my education and take care of my siblings. I can’t thank Star enough for this,” he said.

Speaking on his victory, Olasunkanmi Ogunade, a 22 year_old Correspondent with The Nigerian Compass expressed his gratitude to Nigerian Breweries Plc for initiating the Star Game Show. “I’m, truly grateful to Star for providing me with a wonderful opportunity to become a millionaire. Star should keep up the good work because they are enriching the lives of average Nigerians like me and other winners” he said.