The Senior Special Assistant to the President on
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Ms Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, says
Nigeria is ahead of many developed countries in the implementation of
the SDGs...
Orelope-Adefulire told our correspondent in New York that
Nigeria had received global commendation on the progress it has recorded
in implementing the global goals.
“In Nigeria today, we have completed the mapping exercise
on SDGs, we’ve done the baseline survey and we have identified 126
targets, localising SDGs,” she said.
“I’m sure we are far ahead of some developed countries in
the implementation of SDGs and we were commended at the launch of the
Voluntary National Report in July.
“That what Nigeria has done is very commendable and we were lauded for the progress we have made so far,” she said.
The presidential aide explained that the SDGs came in
three dimensions – the social, the economic and the climate change and
environment.
According to her, the social aspect of the SDGs still deals with the unfinished business of the MDGs.
She explained that road and rail infrastructure were
currently ongoing in almost all the 36 states of the federation and the
Federal Capital Territory.
“In agriculture, we are doing well and it has contributed a
lot in getting us out of recession. Half of the rice we eat in Nigeria
now is being locally-produced.
“So we are now eating what we produce and no longer depend on foreign food. We are planting our foods and the farmers are happy.
“The Federal Government through the Central Bank has given loans to farmers to make farming more attractive.
“We would continue in that direction for the government to
provide job opportunities for the people and to provide food security
and make sure that people can eat and live decent lives.”
Orelope-Adefulire said Nigeria still had a lot of time as
it was just two years into the 2030 agenda out of the 15 years life
span.
“We’re not going to rest on our oars, we’re going to work
hard and we are working now with the state governments; we are coming to
the Local Governments too.
“So that together we can jointly work on SDGs, make life
more meaningful to the people of Nigeria and we would try not to leave
anyone behind,” she said. (NAN)
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