By Muhammad Amaan
The United Nations Nigeria Inter Agency Group has urged youth people to be more innovative towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.
Ms Elsie Attafuah, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Nigeria, disclosed this at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum 2024 on Thursday in Abuja.
The event was organised by the UN Information Centre (UNIC) Abuja for young people toward shaping sustainable and innovative solutions, reinforcing the 2030 agenda and eradicating poverty in times of crisis.
Ms. Attafuah, represented by Chiedu Nwokolo, Impact Learning and Monitoring Analyst of UNDP, said the forum was designed for young people to contribute to policy discussion through their collective ideas, solutions and innovations.
She said that, “It is a forum for young people to make sure that they are integrated in the SDGs across the country.
“It is important that they share their views, you do not come to forum like this and fold your arms without saying anything, it is time to share your experiences.
“So, we will continue to learn, we will continue to improve on what we know, we will continue to help our country and institutions to achieve the SDGs, she added
“SDGs are a bit far off; where we are supposed to meet the targets, but with innovative solutions, we will be able to shift the tides to achieve the goals.”
Dr Babatunde Adelekan, ASRH/Youth and HIV National Programme Officer of UNFPA, explained that the forum is an annual UN global platform designed to galvanise youth participation in SDGs related issues.
According to him, this is to enable us create a platform where the voices of the young people can be heard.
“We usually have a theme for each year and the aim is to discuss, and interpret the theme that are often centred on challenges that hinders youths from reaching the SDGs targets.
“Then, we use the outcome of the discussion to develop innovative solution so that they are engaged meaningfully,” Adelekan said.
