Determined to fast track the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has called on the three tiers of government to harmonize efforts aimed at fast tracking the implementation of the SDGs.
Princess Adefulire made the call in Abuja recently, when she declared open a 2-Day Training Retreat on Capacity Imperatives for Implementing the SDGs for Federal MDAs, the 36 States and the FCT.
She said that while mainstreaming efforts are led at the federal level, there should be synergy across the three tiers of government to ensure that efforts are harmonized to secure the desired outcomes.
She was quoted saying “We must forge alliance and strategic partnerships with all critical stakeholders, inclusive of Development Partners, the Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations, Faith-based and Professional bodies, Youth and Women Groups and a host of others for the successful implementation of the SDGs.
She explained the the SDGs core areas such as energy, food security, agriculture, infrastructural development, industry, macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth have all been integrated into the the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP); adding that efforts are ongoing to ensure that SDGs occupy a prominent place in the implementation framework.
She opined that, in order for Nigeria to make significant stride in the implementation of the SDGs, the country must mainstream and integrate the SDGs into the National and Subnational Development Plans.
Princess Adefulire maintained that all implementation efforts must be guided by a careful analysis and an understanding of the roles of different stakeholders in the country.
While underscoring the importance of capacity building of officers responsible for the successful implementation of the SDGs, she advocated for awareness creation and advocacy on the SDGs as well as resource mobilization from both the public and private sectors to facilitate a seamless implementation of the SDGs.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of State, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, represented by Dr. Lawal Zakariya’u stressed the importance of capacity building and described it as a critical aspect in the implementation of the SDGs.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Secretary of Program, Alhaji Waziri Laminu called for an integrated and innovative approaches towards the 2030 Agenda. He maintained that OSSAP-SDGs places high premium on mobilization of human resources for the implementation of the SDGs through capacity building in line with SDG goal 17, hence the 2-day training retreat, to build the requisite skills and technical capacities of officers to drive the implementation process of the SDGs in Nigeria.
Markus Y. Mangai
For: AD Communication.
