The Lagos State Government has expressed its commitment to creating a society that upholds the values of sustainability by inspiring the new generation towards a sustainable future.
This assertion was made today by the Permanent Secretary Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Abosede George at the inauguration and induction of some university students into the newly formed Lagos State University SDGs Youth Club aimed at achieving a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous society in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. PLUS Agenda of the present administration.
Mrs. George, while delivering a keynote address at the ceremony held at the Ojo Campus of the School, expressed the desire of the government to nurture leaders who will carry the torch forward and build upon the foundations laid by the Sanwo-Olu administration for a sustainable future.
According to her, “Given the urgency needed to increase action and intensify collective efforts towards the actualization of the 2030 Agenda, the birth of the Lagos State University SDGs Youth Club signals a new era of active citizen participation and collaboration in driving sustainable development within and beyond the university environment”.
Recognizing the role of higher education institutions in nation-building, George stated that the academic community, by virtue of their role in nation-building, has acknowledged the value of providing a systems approach lens that will help students develop a well-rounded understanding of how global challenges need to be addressed.
Speaking on the two important compacts that many universities around the world have become signatories to “The University Global Coalition (UCG) and the UNITAR Declaration on Global Engagement (DGE)” in addressing global challenges, she submitted that the two compacts exemplify the symbiotic responsibility between the academic community and government towards the actualization of key targets of SDGs.
While emphasising the transformative change and equitable opportunities accruing from supporting youth-led initiatives, she underscored the significance of platforms such as the Lagos State Volunteer Corp, the Lagos SDGs Youth Alliance, and the SDGs Clubs in Secondary Schools towards propelling shared prosperity.
“On a broader aspiration, the birthing of youth-led SDGs campaign across levels of our educational system is informed by the reality that the capacity and aptitude of the younger generation remains the best asset that can be exploited to drive a thriving society”, she added.
The Permanent Secretary also emphasised the importance of education and research in advancing the SDGs, encouraging the students of the institution to embrace interdisciplinary approaches and collaborate across disciplines to develop holistic solutions to societal challenges.
She commended the students for their commitment and determination to create a better future for society and urged them to leverage their skills and knowledge to raise awareness, mobilise others, and actively engage in projects that promote sustainable development.
George, who maintained that global ambition is a shared responsibility, expressed gratitude to the university administration and the leadership of the LASU-SDGs Directorate for their passion, dedication, and innovative thinking, adding that the University’s SDGs Youth Club will make a lasting impact.
In her remark, the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello expressed her appreciation to the Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment for the overwhelming support the school has received in the build-up towards the establishment of LASU SDG Club, pledging the institution’s commitment to the attainment of the goals through creativity, research, and innovation.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, the United Nations Residence and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mathias Schmale pointed out that the challenges faced by Nigeria are enormous, ranging from multidimensional poverty to flooding issues, terrorism, and banditry, advising that tapping the potentials of the youths is a short way to overcome these challenges.
Schmale, who noted that collaborative effort through the mobilisation of all stakeholders will give the necessary impetus to the determination to achieve the Goals, stressed that the achievement of the Lagos State Government, through the Office of the SDG and Investment, is convincing evidence that the inauguration of the LASU SDG Club will be a tremendous success.
