The Senior Special Assistant to the Oyo State governor on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, Mr. Kunle Yusuff has lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for demonstrating a strong commitment to the implementation of the SDGs earlier initiated by the United Nations in 2015.
The commendation came after a town hall meeting with stakeholders, with Yusuff praising the governor for the implementation of six major global goals, by rolling out N500 million for Oyo State Youths Development Programme.
At the stakeholders meeting, held at House of Chiefs, the state Secretariat, the governor noted that as a result of the reduction in income of many, which was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent #EndSARs protest, a N500 million SMEs fund has been set up and the fund will be disbursed to youths who have excellent entrepreneur ideas to tackle the unemployment rate in Oyo State.
Yusuff said, “This is the way to go. It’s the one catalytic balance between society pressure and self-limit and it’s obvious that Governor Makinde is an apostle of UN’s SDGs 2030 Global Agenda. He supports it, he represents it and he speaks strongly for SDGs.
“Governor Makinde has scored a milestone on SDGs. He just announced the immediate commencement of 6 Major Global Goals by rolling out N500 millions for Oyo State Youth Developments Programme.
“We should note that under his watch, directives and supervision we are implementing SDGs 17 Global Goals, 100 indicators and 150 targets in the Oyo State.
“I am happy to note the governor of Oyo State has demonstrated high level of leadership and strong commitment to the implementation of SDGs. This is so, because he is a man of the people and SDGs is about man and nature.
He further noted that SDGs are a universal call for action to end poverty, safeguard our planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by the year 2030, saying, “It may also interest you to know that Oyo State is already toeing this path.”
He added, “Youth Developments Initiative program is related to SDGs’ six major global goals; Goal 2, Hunger; Goal 4, Education; Goal 5, Genders’ Equality; Goal 8, Decent Work; Goal 10, Inequality; and Goal 13, Climate Change. Today’s generation of adolescents and young people, between ages 10 and 24 years, is close to 3.6 million people in Oyo State.”
Yusuff however noted that, the 2030 SDGs Global Agenda may not be attainable if government at all levels, international development agencies and civil society organisations do not actively participate in tackling youth challenges.
“I therefore commend His Excellency for his vision and his leadership styles, especially in the empowerment of young people and investment in agriculture,” he added.
Suing for the patience of residents of the state, Yusuff explained that there is need for connectivity between SDGs and the people, which will improve on the livelihood of our people.
While urging the Federal Government to ensure adequate budgetary provision to the programme in the Pacesetter State, Yusuff reasoned, “Let me use this medium to appeal to Federal Government to increase its funding to SDGs, because it deals directly with people and touches those who feel rejected.”
