The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, has reiterated the world body’s commitment to work with institutions to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.
He 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 the LASU Centre for the Actualisation of the LASU-SDGs.
Schmale said the UN was committed to working with institutions like LASU because such a partnership would be mutually beneficial to the two organisations.
He said, “Every one of you can be a catalyst of change and an ambassador for sustainable development goals in the country.
“Only with togetherness can we build the momentum that is needed to achieve the 2030 agenda.”
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Lagos State Mrs Abosede George, said that the younger
generation remains the best asset that would drive a thriving society.
George noted that the government established an SDGs office to engage the citizenry and inspire both the old and new generations of leaders toward galvanising actions to urgently achieve the global agenda.
“Our determination to nurture leaders that 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,” she said.
In her opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, appreciated the LASU-SDG for the commitment to raising the young generation to support the programme.
She 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 are the exposure you will get and several opportunities available to you as SDG Ambassadors,” he added.
The Director, LASU-Centre for the Actualisation of the UN SDGs, Professor Tayo Ajayi, , said that the Youth Club was established to serve as a platform to share perspectives and ideas among youths to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
He said that the active engagement of youths in sustainable development efforts was central to achieving sustainable, inclusive and stable societies by the target date.
The elected President of the LASU-SDG Youth Club, Obadare Adenekan, appealed to all the relevant institutions for their continuous support and partnership to scale up the reach and impact of the club.
He expressed confidence that the club would achieve great things for the university and beyond.
“together, we can raise high the banners of LASU as a model of excellence and sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond,” Adenekan said.
(NAN)
