The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to engage corps members in the national youth service scheme in the achievement of the sustainable development goals 2030.
President Muhammad Buhari made this known on Friday in a video message at the virtual inaugural SDGs Moment convened by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Atonio Guterres, during the high level week of the 75th UN General Assembly.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the president said the National Youth Service Corps Scheme was ensuring Nigerian graduates participate actively in SDG implementation processes by serving as grassroot champions of the cause to support efforts at the National level the for the 17 development goals.
While encouraging more sub national authorities to appoint and train SDGs champions, the president also provided an update on the progress of the SDGs in the country in setting out Nigeria’s vision for the next decade in fighting poverty, combating illicit financial flows and ensuring economic recovery amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, Nigeria has made good strides in SDGs domestication processes and has commenced the re-alignment of the National Statistical System with the requirements and indicators of the SDGs.
Re-affirming Nigeria’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other Internationally Agreed Development Goals, President Buhari told the meeting that anti-corruption institutions have been strengthened to enable the administration effectively combat illicit financial flows and recover proceeds and that the National Assembly has established Committees on Sustainable Development Goals.
He further Acknowledged that the although the outbreak of coronavirus had threatened to derail the progress in achieving SDGs, Nigeria is addressing the threat by re-dedicating efforts towards economic diversification, focusing on agriculture and the mining sectors.
