Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, has called for the collaboration of High Commissions and Development Partners to successfully achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Hamzat made the call during a meeting with members of High Commissions and Development Partners in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the SDGs’ 17 goals include no poverty, quality education, better health care, industrial innovation, and infrastructure, among others.
The Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals organized the meeting, which had the theme “Fostering Partnership For The Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in Lagos State.”
According to him, it is critical for governments, consulate and embassy representatives, multinational organizations, development partners, and ecosystem stakeholders to collaborate and work together to create a world in which no one is left behind.
Hamzat noted that the meeting’s theme was appropriate because it served as a rallying cry for diplomats, development officials, and stakeholders to unite in a shared commitment to realizing a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
He also stated that the agenda aimed to provide solutions to various challenges and achieve the SDGs.
Hamzat noted that one of the biggest challenges in achieving the 17 SDGs was proper physical Planning.
“Our cities must be planned because whatever is not well planned cannot be measured hence, cannot be managed.
“The biggest challenge for cities like Lagos is the maintenance and sustainability of the environment,” he said.
As a result, the deputy governor advocated for proper urban planning to protect the environment for everyone’s benefit.
Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, stated in her remarks that the purpose of the meeting was to seek partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders in order to achieve all of the SDGs for the state’s and the nation’s sustainability.
“We recognise that collaborations are key which is why the 17th goal of the SDGs is partnership.
“This partnership is important so as to attain the goals which we are supposed to achieve by 2030.”
Earlier in her welcome address, Mrs Tolani Oshodi, Permanent Secretary, Office of SDGs, emphasized that Lagos State was not only open for business, but also for collaborative ventures that would leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
“Our collective aim is to ensure that we harness the full spectrum of diplomatic influence and the myriad opportunities it presents.”
Oshodi explained that the theme arose from a shared commitment to a cause that transcends borders and is consistent with the global imperative for sustainable development.
“Hence, maximising our impact on the journey towards achieving the SDGs in the dynamic landscape of Lagos State.
“As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that the attainment of the SDGs is not just a goal for Lagos but a shared aspiration for the entire global community,” she said. (NAN)
