I recently attended the just concluded UNGA 79 which was held in New York, where I had the privilege of participating in several side events focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A highlight was engaging in roundtable discussions with inspiring individuals cut across various countries around the world, where we explored the socio-economic challenges related to the SDGs and what is working, and what isn’t in different countries.
What can we learn from others?
From our discussions, several successful strategies emerged:
Malaysia has excelled in localizing SDGs through community engagement, particularly in poverty alleviation programs that involve grassroots participation. How can Nigeria harness similar community-driven strategies to tackle our own poverty issues?
India has made strides with its Digital India initiative, leveraging technology to improve access to education and healthcare in rural areas. The government also promotes entrepreneurship through programs like Start-Up India, empowering youth and women. What tech-driven initiatives can we introduce in Nigeria to uplift our education system and spark entrepreneurial spirit?
China has successfully lifted millions out of poverty through targeted economic reforms and rural development initiatives, focusing on sustainable infrastructure to achieve multiple SDGs. How can Nigeria implement economic reforms that ignite rural development and sustainability?
Sri Lanka has implemented effective agricultural policies that encourage organic farming and cooperative models, fostering sustainability and community resilience. How can we ignite cooperative farming in Nigeria to secure food and boost our local economies?
I had the opportunity to share my idea of One Village One Set of Produce (OVOSEP), for Nigeria, I highlighted the potential impact of such initiatives on socio-economic development. By encouraging communities to focus on a single crop, which they as a community have advantages based on certain variables such as soil , climatic conditions and expertise in cultivating that particular crop over others, this in turn will help in boosting their competitive advantage, which will help in creating reliable income sources, attract partnerships, and foster trade relationships between communities.
In contrast, countries like the USA and UK have robust frameworks for monitoring and reporting on SDG progress, enhancing accountability. Public-private partnerships in both nations have proven effective in implementing various SDGs, particularly in education and health.
Let’s Talk Agriculture
What if we made OVOSEP a reality? Picture a village renowned for one crop. Companies would regularly come to purchase it, guaranteeing steady income. This initiative will not only enhance local economies but also encourages community cohesion and resilience. Let’s make this happen!
Taking Climate Action with Agroforestry
We need a simple but powerful solution: dedicating one day a month to planting trees in our communities. Not only do trees help protect our environment, but they also improve soil health, reduce flooding, and boost agriculture. It’s an initiative that will pay off for generations to come.
Empowerment Through Skill Acquisition
I challenge our political leaders to be more strategic with empowerment programs. Instead of just handing out equipment, let’s focus on skill acquisition first. People need to master a trade before receiving the tools. And empowerment programs must be researched, needs base assessments and training should carried out diligently before empowerment.
This is important because needs differ from community to community, What one community needs might be different from another, so it’s important to ensure we’re giving the right support. Also Continuity is key. Local governments should track progress through a database to ensure real impact.
Managing Disasters and Flooding
Flooding is a real challenge in many communities, but we can tackle this in simple ways. First, regular community clean-ups to clear drainage systems can go a long way. Second, planting trees helps reduce soil erosion and manage water flow. Local leaders, both religious and traditional leaders (Baales, and district heads ) can engage their followers/subject or even establish laws in their communities to ensure these actions happen monthly. We already have environmental sanitation in Kwara State, but it’s time we focus on the rural areas too.
Prioritizing Education and Youth Involvement
During my campaign tours, I visited several villages and witnessed the alarming neglect of basic education. We must adopt serious strategies to ensure both girls and boys are getting into schools. One approach could be school feeding programs, which have proven effective in increasing enrollment. Through this program we can create a system where free meals are provided in schools, helping to attract children to learn.
Local businesses can also play a crucial role by adopting community schools through their various CSRs ( Corporate social responsibility) supporting them with school supplies like bags and uniforms. Not everything should fall on the governments shoulders. Local and state governments should create policies that encourage small and medium enterprises to support education. While charter schools in America may not be fully sustainable in Nigeria, we can start with smaller initiatives that engage the community.
When it comes to youth involvement in governance, it can extend to community engagement activities. Youth party executives and members should conduct quarterly community development projects. Instead of waiting for election cycles/ campaign season, they can come together to plant trees, clean drainage systems, and engage in other leadership initiatives. This active participation not only promotes good governance but also aligns with the SDGs by fostering a sense of responsibility and community spirit among the youth.
A Call for Localized Action
I’m excited to work with communities in Oyun Local Government and Kwara State to implement these ideas. Whether it’s OVOSEP, agroforestry, skill acquisition, or education, every step counts. When local communities come together and are given the needed support they will take charge of their challenges, and thier by pave the way for sustainable development that works for everyone.
Opeyemi Abdulhafiz Alao, CISA, CRISC, CISM Chairman, Abral Development Initiatives. President, Nigerian Youth in the Diaspora Engagement Forum (NYDEF). One of Global 100 Most Influential People of African Descent
