Youths Tasked on Attainment of 2030 SDG Agenda

Funmi Ogundare 

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Lagos State, Mrs. Abosede George, has stressed the need for young people to take ownership of the future towards attaining the 2030 SDG agenda.

George who said this recently, at the inauguration/induction ceremony of the Lagos State University (LASU)-SDG youth club organised by the institution’s Centre for the Actualisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (LASU-SDG), explained that the younger generation remains the best asset that can drive a thriving society. 

George who was a guest speaker at the programme, stated that the state government established her office to engage the citizenry and inspire both the old and new generation of leaders towards galvanising action to urgently achieve the global agenda.

“Our determination to nurturing leaders who will carry the torch forward and build upon the foundations we have laid as a responsible government is being exemplified through the Lagos SDGs youth alliance. The 2030 Agenda is for the present and the future,” she said. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi  Olatunji-Bello in her remarks, commended the LASU-SDG under the leadership of Prof. Tayo Ajayi, for its commitment to raising a generation of leaders, the United Nations (UN) body for their full support of the programme and the Lagos State Office of SDGs and Investment for their interest and support for the activities of the university.

She congratulated the inductees, saying that the move will go a long way in building human and leadership capacities as well as prepare them for a lifetime of impact. 

“The benefits are also enormous among which is the exposure you will get to several opportunities available to you as an SDG ambassador,” she said.

The Director of the centre, Prof. Tayo Ajayi, stated that the LASU-SDG youth club was established to serve as a platform for the youths to share their perspectives and ideas to achieve the SDGs by 2030.  

“The active engagement of youths in sustainable development efforts is central to achieving sustainable, inclusive and stable societies by the target date and to averting the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development.”

In his goodwill message, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, stated that the UN is committed to working with institutions like Lagos State University to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. 

Speaking further, he said “everyone of you can be a catalyst of change and an ambassador for sustainability, but only together can we build the momentum that is needed to achieve the 2030 agenda.”

The President, LASU-SDG Youth Club, Obadare Adenekan, appealed to the guests at the ceremony for their continuous support and partnership in order to scale up the reach and impact of the club.

 “I am confident that together, we can achieve great things for ourselves, our university, our country, and our planet. Together, we can raise high the banners of the Lagos State University as a model of excellence and sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond,” He stated.