The Presidency says Nigeria is currently ahead of many developed and developing countries in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Ms Adejoke Orelope stated this recently in New York. she hinted that Nigeria has received widespread commendations on the progress made so far.
“In Nigeria today, we have completed the mapping exercise on SDGs, we’ve done the baseline survey and we have identified 126 targets, localizing SDGs. 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 explained that the SDG was divided into three aspects namely the Social, the economic and Climate change. She said to achieve all these, the current administration was embarking on robust infrastructural development and investing in all sectors.
“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"
She assured that Nigeria will meet the 2030 target since it has made remarkable progress barely two years into the target.
“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.
