By Joseph Ayomide |
In a spirited call to action, Joshua Alade, the founder of the Network of Youths for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs), has highlighted the imperative need for robust youth leadership to realize the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Alade’s impassioned plea took center stage during the recent Lagos Peoples Assembly, where he underscored that creating a peaceful society is paramount to empowering young individuals to assume leadership roles, aligning with the nation’s commitment to the SDG agenda.
Expressing deep concern, Alade lamented the prevailing issues of insecurity and the soaring cost of living in the country, factors that have been stifling the youth’s ability to make substantial contributions to their communities and hinder progress toward achieving SDGs.
Alade emphasized, “Quality education, decent employment, peace, and security form the bedrock of the SDGs for young people. Young Nigerians require a tranquil environment that facilitates their learning and income-generating opportunities. The socioeconomic challenges they confront due to the escalating cost of living and insecurity have been acting as impediments, restraining their capacity to make meaningful contributions to community development.”
Ajibola Babalola, the Head of Communications Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (SMILE), resonated with Alade’s sentiments. The event, aptly themed “United for a Sustainable Nigeria,” attracted over 70 participants and was organized by NGYouthSDGs with the invaluable support of Action for Sustainable Development.
Ms. Babalola elucidated the event’s core purpose. She emphasized the necessity of spreading awareness at the grassroots level, stating, “We must communicate with people in their native languages. Some communities remain unaware of the SDGs, necessitating the simplification of the message. Integrating the SDGs into educational curricula, from primary to tertiary levels, and conducting awareness campaigns within organizations to educate both employees and employers about the SDGs are essential steps.”
The gathering’s focal point was a comprehensive discussion of critical issues, including social protection, climate action, access to healthcare, decent work, peace, security, and the pivotal role of youth engagement in shaping policies and programs essential for realizing sustainable development in Nigeria.
Recognizing the inherent leadership capabilities and untapped potential of young individuals, the call to action emphasized facilitating their seamless transition into gainful employment and empowering them to actively participate in national discourse and initiatives dedicated to sustainable development.
On her part, Bolwatife Ajayi, Programmes Associate at the Network of Youths for Sustainable Initiative, shared insights at the event, outlining the significance of the Lagos Peoples Assembly as a collaborative platform aimed at raising awareness and fostering dialogues regarding pressing issues aligned with SDGs 1, 4, 8, 12, and 13.
Shedrack Akpem, the Project Manager of NYSDG, reiterated the program’s overarching objective: providing a platform for people, particularly the youth, to have their voices heard and inspiring actionable commitments from the Nigerian government to advance the SDGs.
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