The Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja and the Connected Development (CODE), an NGO, have partnered to create more awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among Nigerian youths in the country.
The groups made the committment at a two-day Universities SDGs Summit, organised at the Nile University, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Abuja.
The event was organised in collaboration with Follow Taxes, We-Care Foundation and Centre for Development and Advanced Learning (CENDAL).
Mr Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive Director, CODE, said the summit was aimed at discussing the challenges and prospects of attaining the SDGs in the country.
According to him, in order to foster continued contribution and sustainability of the developmental goals beyond 2030, it is paramount that young people get involved.
“Especially those in universities and secondary schools, they can get involved in coming up with innovative ways to achieve the goals come 2030.
“It is on this basis that we organised this summit to drive more awareness and accelerate the attainment of the SDGs among Nigerian Youths in Nigerian Universities.
“Young people are the future of the country and the incoming administration need to invest in them to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
“I believe that the energy and enthusiasm of our youths are instrumental in driving forward the SDGs agenda.
“We must recognize their potential and empower them to take action,” he said.
Also, the Vice-Chancellor, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Prof. Dilli Dogo, said it was important to create more awareness about the SDGs, as adequate information remained key to achieving the goals by 2030.
“It is important for universities in the country to collaborate with civil society organisations to create more awareness about the SDGs.
“This is because young people play a key role for us to be able to achieve it,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Murkthar Suleiman, Director, CENDAL, added that it is important for young people to be solution-oriented in their career pursuit, as such it necessary to inculcate that belief in them on time.
“So what are trying to do is to see how we can encourage students to tie their career path towards ensuring that they can contribute to attaining the SDGs,” he said.
Mr Jameswilliams Chiahukammanya, a 400 level student at the Nile University, said the summit had given them the knowledge of the role youths can play in making impacts in their communities.
“As a student, it has given us a better picture of what the world needs now and the role we can play to attaining the sustainable development goals for our end,” he said.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and to ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
Nigeria, a major signatory to the SDGs, has shown commitment to the 17 goals and their 169 targets through the contributions of civil society organisations and other non-government organisations.
By Ruth Oketunde
