By Asmau Ahmad
The United Nations is commitment to work with institutions to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria,
made this known at the inauguration and induction ceremony of the LASU-SDG Youth Club of Lagos State University on Monday in Lagos.
The programme was organised by LASU Centre for the Actualisation of the LASU-SDGs.
He said the UN was committed to working with institutions like LASU because such partnership would be mutually beneficial to the two organisations.
He added that “every one of you can be a catalyst of change and an ambassador for sustainable development goals in the country.
“Only togetherness can we build the momentum that is needed to achieve the 2030 agenda.”
Mrs Abosede George, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Lagos State, said that the younger generation remain the best asset that would drive a thriving society.
George added that government established SDGs office to engage the citizenry and inspire both the old and new generation of leaders toward galvanising actions to urgently achieve the global agenda.
She said “our determination to nurturing leaders who will carry the torch forward and build upon the foundations we have laid as responsible government is being exemplified through the Lagos SDGs Youth Alliance.
“The 2030 Agenda is for the present and the future, so young people should take ownership and drive it now.”
In her opening remarks, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, appreciated the LASU-SDG for the commitment to raise the young generation to support the programme.
Olatunji-Bello congratulated the inductees for the bold step, saying it was a giant stride toward building human and leadership capacities.
“The benefits are also enormous among which is the exposure you will get and several opportunities available to you as SDG Ambassadors.”
Prof. Tayo Ajayi, the Director, LASU-Centre for the Actualisation of the UN SDGs, said that the Youth Club was established to serve as platform to share perspectives and ideas among youths to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
Ajayi said that the active engagement of youths in sustainable development efforts was central to achieving sustainable, inclusive and stable societies by the target date.
Obadare Adenekan, the elected President of the LASU-SDG Youth Club, appealed to all the necessary institutions for continuous support and partnership to scale up the reach and impact of the club.
Adenekan expressed confidence that the club would achieve great things for the university and beyond.
He said “together, we can raise high the banners of LASU as a model of excellence and sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond.”
