Sept. 7, 2021

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond, has stated the need to establish a supportive structure that will enhance the youth network to effectively solve emerging challenges.

Briefing the press at the official launch of the Lagos SDGs Youth Alliance in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, the Special Adviser described the campaign as an opportunity to amplify and reposition the broad tendencies of youths for the common good.

Mrs. Hammond said, “The birth of the lofty initiative emerged from our conviction that youths represent a formidable and potent force, through which positive impact can be made in all spheres of human endeavours and, where meaningful engagements with them is a prerequisite for achieving the Greater Lagos Agenda and by extension the Global Sustainable Development Goals”.

Confirming that the State is starting a journey to get young people immersed in social reality and responsibility for the common good, the Special Adviser noted that the government is establishing a clear and enduring pathway for meaningful youth participation in governance to shape the future.

She maintained that having an active and substantive engagement with youths of great potential and deploying their competence into planning will improve articulation and implementation of development priorities, as well as efforts of the government, and establish a positive influence on society.

Speaking on the significance of getting youths involved in development efforts, Mrs. Hammond disclosed that they bring drive, enthusiasm and a diversity of fresh perspectives and interpretations to the challenges and opportunities faced by citizens.

“The youths are the native speakers of the global language of this decade; you are the most tech-savvy, digitally-enabled and media-driven generation of all time. You are fiercely creative, incredibly innovative, amazingly resourceful and very vocal; instigators of movements that speed through our digital and physical worlds and shift culture and attitudes in a manner and pace never before seen”.

She encouraged youths to maximise the advantages of invaluable networking, priceless contacts, profound deliberations, quality mentorship, exchange of brilliant ideas and collaborative action made available through the SDGs youth alliance platform.

While encouraging well-meaning Lagosians, corporate institutions and other good-spirited bodies to renew their efforts towards the advancement of society, the Special Adviser submitted that some notable Champions of the fellowship are already committing resources and efforts to solve some emerging challenges in communities.