Following report that only 17 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets are currently on track, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, has advocated acceleration of the SDGs to meet the 2030 target with a view to improving the wellbeing of the people and the planet.
Fall spoke when he met and engaged governors, commissioners, the private sector, civil society, traditional rulers, women and youth groups, and other critical stakeholders in Lagos, Enugu and Anambra States. He made a case for the rescue and acceleration towards the achievement of the SDGs at the sub-national level.
The Resident Coordinator said: “My visit to Owo Smart School, Enugu State was an eye opener and a confirmation that with the right leadership, nothing is impossible. I saw firsthand how technology was deployed to ensure quality education, thus placing students on the path to a brighter future.”
At a Type-Three Hospital in Agbogugu community, Fall noted the use of innovation in health and how commitment to expanding primary health centres could improve access to health services, leaving no one behind.
Engaging with women and youth groups, the Resident Coordinator said he was impressed by the young people taking action to accelerate the SDGs in Enugu state, and acknowledged the women’s clamour for increased female representation in politics.
He urged all Nigerian women to remain optimistic about having more women in political leadership.
Receiving the Resident Coordinator in Enugu, the State Governor, Peter Mbah, acknowledged that the UN was established for the public good and added that the vision of his administration aligned with the UN mandates on SDGs.
In Anambra State, Fall engaged Governor Charles Soludo, and discussed issues around poverty alleviation, environmental threats, social protection, health, education, innovative financing and the need to leave no one behind.
Addressing State Commissioners, permanent secretaries and other senior government officials at the UNICEF South-East Zonal Policy Dialogue on Child-sensitive Budgeting in Awka, he emphasised the readiness of the UN in Nigeria to support Southeast in accelerating the SDGs in the sub-region.
He visited Eziabor village Oko, which is one of the over 1000 active erosion sites in Anambra State, and called for the interventions of the Federal Government, the state government and development partners, to save lives and livelihoods. Anambra State needs all the support it can get to sustainably address the challenging situation of devastating soil erosion in the state,” he said.
