Nigeria records 22% participation in shaping post-MDGs global agenda

AS the time frame set for attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ends by December, and the world is set to embrace the next programme that would be used as the framework to sustain the gains achieved, the United Nation (UN) has said 22 per cent of participants in shaping the global agenda are Nigerians.

    The UN Millennium Campaign Director Mitchell Toomey made this known Monday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the already 17 draft post MDGs development framework. 

    He said the “post 2015 process provides countries including Nigeria, a golden opportunity to embark on people centered development planning which will ultimately lift millions out of poverty and inequalities as well as empower women and other vulnerable population.

   “Nigeria has contributed immensely in ensuring that citizens’ voices are brought to bear in the development of the next agenda. Over 1.5 million Nigerian have participated in shaping the global development agenda, this is the largest in the world constituting 22 per cent of the total seven million global citizens’ participation in the UN inspired myworld survey”, Toomey said.

     While stating that the figures were acquired through the Office of the Senior Presidential Adviser on MDGs, the UN Director noted that “apart from continuing on the momentum and targets of the MDGs, the post 2015 agenda has taken on board other emerging development challenges that were not part of the MDGs such as inequalities, climate change, peace and security and other new sectoral challenges in health and education amongst others”.

     He commended Nigeria for the progress made in implementing the MDGs and urged that more political will, inter-governmental partnerships and investments would be needed to implement the emerging agenda which is also known as the sustainable development goals (SDGs). 

    Toomey stated that “as a leader in Africa, Nigeria needs to show best practices in terms of localization of the new goals, governance and accountable institutions, citizens’, which is intended to afford citizens of the world the opportunity to contribute in the formulation of the next agenda.”

    The proposed SDGs by 2030 are to end poverty in all its forms everywhere, End hunger, achieve food security and adequate nutrition for all, and promote sustainable agriculture; attain healthy life for all at all ages; provide equitable and inclusive quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all; attain gender equality, empower women and girls everywhere; secure water and sanitation for all for a sustainable world; and ensure access to affordable, sustainable, and reliable modern energy services for all.

  Others are strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all, promote sustainable industrialization; reduce inequality within and among countries; build inclusive, safe and sustainable cities and human settlements; promote sustainable consumption and production pattern, among others.