July 28, 2021

International DJ and producer Florence ‘Cuppy’ Otedola is among notable young Nigerian development enthusiasts leading the Lagos SDGs Youth Alliance network.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond, speaking in Ikeja said, the initiative is part of the present administration’s commitment towards mobilising opportunities to advance and scale up innovative solutions in the attainment of SDGs across Lagos State.

While appraising the development, Hammond remarked that as a State known for putting young people at the fulcrum of change and development, this idea is ambitiously prioritising a youth-led movement that is inclusive, responsive, transparent and sustainable.

According to her, young people have unique insights and perspectives that can drive more effective policy towards ensuring that government commitments to SDGs are fulfilled.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is very proud of the increasing scale of ambitious youth-led advocacy that are providing sustainable solutions to emerging challenges in the State. This administration is passionate about engaging the youth in developing inclusive, transparent, collaborative and responsive mechanisms for the SDGs”, she commented.

Also speaking on the initiative and the commitment of Governor Sanwo-Olu in stimulating the passion of Lagos youths around development and good governance, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, revealed that other inspiring youths, who have driven many of the high impact social change in recent years, include the versatile Nollywood Actress, Jumoke Oyetola and Doyinsola Ogunye, who is the founder of Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC).

Others include Joshua Alade, the Executive Director of Nigeria Youth SDGs Network; Sowemimo Abiodun, an ECOWAS Youth ambassador; Mary Dinah, Executive Director of Mary Dinah Foundation; Taiwo James, an active social development crusader; Solomon Adetokunbo, a reputable Agropreneur and sustainability advocate and Alexandre Akhighe, the Founder of the African Clean-Up Initiative.

He stated further that other distinguished young individuals who have common value in championing the initiative are Abraham Adegoke, Olutayo Irantiola, Adelaja Oluwadamilade, Paul Agada, Favour Olusola, Olumide Alabi, Yetunde Adeleke, Musa Olayinka, Ojo Semasa, Damola Oladipo, Adediji Emmanuel, Mustapha Aminat, Nkiruka Okpara, Mariam Sorunke, Aasiah Solanke, Ozioma Uzor and Charles Edosomwan among others.

While applauding the sincerity of purpose and selflessness of the young individuals, he affirmed that government is looking forward to working with the whole youth development sector to ensure that the SDG aspirations translate into reality.

According to him, “Lagos State Government acknowledges the enormous capability and capacity of its teeming youth population as evidenced in their remarkable exploits in different areas of human endeavour. It is, therefore, more beneficial to all when these vibrant and pragmatic individuals are drawn into the development actions and activities of the State with a view to accelerating and improving outcomes”.

“This campaign is geared towards opening up the conventional space to strengthen all youth-led efforts to make lasting change across every community and to catalysing the attainment of the SDGs in Lagos State”, he said.

The Lagos Youth Alliance is a strategic platform established by the Lagos State Government for young people to connect, dialogue, collaborate and consolidate efforts on sustainable development in the State. It is to be championed by young and outstanding developer crusaders, who over the years have inspired social change in Lagos and Nigeria.