Aba group gets United Nation’s consultative status

THE United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has granted Special Consultative Status to Development Generation Africa International (DGAi) – a Nigerian non-governmental body which head office is in Umuahia.

DGAi is a youth-led group with focus on children, youth and women development through skill-based training, capacity building and education geared towards achieving sustainable development.

The status was sequel to ECOSOC’s adoption of the recommendation of its Committee on Non-Governmental Organisation during the coordination and management meeting held earlier this month.

According to a letter by ECOSOC Acting Chief (NGO Branch Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination Department of Economic and Social Affairs – United Nations, Alberto Padova, which conveyed the status, “the Consultative Status will enable DGAi to actively engage with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in a number of ways.”

DGAi – a membership organisation, had participated in the global youth forum on the transition from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), #youth2015 and the United Nations Commission for Social Development (CSocD 53) in February in New York and a meeting of the Committee on NGOs.

Before it was granted the status, DGAi had hosted the Building Bridges Conference at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos, and at the University of Ilorin in June, and has been an active member of the post-2015 development agenda consultative groups and processes.

According to the DGAi Executive Director and Co- Founder, Henry Ekwuruke, the body will on August 12, in conjunction with the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), host Youths on #Youth Power 2015 workshop on Sustainable development in Umuahia, which is a UN event for Abia Youth Civic Engagement on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ekwuruke said their major work in 2015 would be “raising awareness and building strong partnerships for poverty eradication, addressing inequalities and fighting climate change for our people, nation.”