The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • Buhari greets women on international Women’s Day

    President Muhammadu Buhari has paid tribute to womenfolk on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.

    He highlighted the invaluable roles they play in building homes, and by extension, the nation, just as he applauded their lofty contributions in both the public and private sectors of national life.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said “This election season we are in has brought out in bold relief once again the crucial role women play in our lives as a people.

    “They have stood up to be counted as aspirants, candidates, mobilizers, and voters. Indeed, what can we ever do without our women in all phases of our lives,” the President said

    He recalled diverse positions being held by women as Ministers, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, chief executives of agencies, permanent secretaries, directors-general, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, and many others, and reiterates that things can only get better at the Next Level.

    “Hand in hand with our women, we will build the country of our dreams, where there will be equal opportunity for all,” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari arrives in Daura

    President Buhari noted the fact that some of government’s most important policies and programmes like straightening of the hitherto dysfunctional pensions system, Africa’s largest Social Investment Programme (SIP), diaspora engagements, energy solutions, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ports authority, foods and drugs administration and control, debt management, prohibition of trafficking in persons, and many others, are headed by women, is indicative of the worth and value the government places on them.

    “On a day like this, I hereby extol and appreciate them, on behalf of all other Nigerians,” the President affirmed.

    International Women’s Day is designed to celebrate the potential, progress, and accomplishments of women, and to highlight the utmost importance of creating a world that presents equal opportunities for women and men.

    Theme for this year’s celebration is Balance For Better.

     

  • Nigeria far from eliminating malaria – WHO

    Nigeria is yet to be listed among African countries who have made significant progress in eliminating malaria, a statement by the World Health Organisations ( WHO ) says.

    Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director of Africa, in her message to commemorate the “World Malaria Day 2018” in Abuja on Wednesday, said 14 countries with the world’s biggest malaria problem were in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Moeti said these countries still accounted for 80 per cent of the global burden of malaria with 194 million new cases and 410,000 deaths recorded in 2016 alone.

    She however said some countries in the region have witnessed a decrease in malaria cases and deaths showing significant potential to eliminate malaria by 2020.

    According to Moeti, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Senegal, Gambia and Zimbabwe are among 16 countries globally that witnessed a decrease in malaria cases and deaths by more than 20 per cent between 2015 and 2016.

    She said that Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Comoros, South Africa and Swaziland could potentially eliminate malaria by 2020.

    The WHO regional director expressed concern over the slow pace of progress in some African countries with significant gaps in the implementation measures to eliminate the disease.

    Moeti said international and domestic funding for malaria prevention and control has also stagnated in the region.

    “Some countries in the African region recorded the biggest rise of malaria testing in the public sector from 36 per cent of suspected cases in 2010 to 87 per cent in 2016.

    “Over half the people at risk of malaria across sub-Saharan Africa have been sleeping under insecticide-treated nets for the past five years indicating some success in behaviour change and outreach campaigns.

    “This progress needs to be sustained. Eliminating malaria requires above all political leadership at the highest level as well as leadership of programmes, resource mobilisation, inter sectoral and cross-border collaboration.

    “We are ready to beat malaria but the pace of progress must be accelerated to achieve a 40 per cent drop in global malaria cases and deaths by 2020 compared to 2015 levels,” Moeti said.

    She said that the world malaria day was an occasion to renew political commitment and continue investing in malaria prevention and control.

    The regional director said the day also focuses global attention on malaria and its devastating impact on families, communities and development.

    Moeti called on countries still affected by malaria to work with development partners to boost investments in malaria prevention and control, especially in new tools to combat the scourge.

    She said: “This will propel countries along the road to elimination and contribute to the achievement of other Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) such as improving maternal and child health.’’

    The theme for the 2018 World Malaria Day is “Ready to Beat Malaria”.

    The theme stresses the need to accelerate efforts to defeat malaria and remind countries of their commitment to end malaria epidemic by 2030 as one of the SDGs.

    The Federal Government on April 22, committed to securing $300 million from the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and African Development Bank to eliminate malaria in the country.

    The government also pledged additional $18.7 million to leverage on $37 million from the Global Fund Grant to enable it distribute 15 million mosquito nets and support local manufacturing of essential malaria commodities.

    NAN

  • NIMASA, World Maritime Varsity sign MoU to develop maritime industry

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ), and World Maritime University ( WMU ), Malmo, Sweden  on Monday in Lagos signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) to develop human capacity for the industry.

    NIMASA Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Isichei Osamgbi said Dr Dakuku Peterside, director-general of NIMASA signed on behalf of his organisation, while the President WMU, Mr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry signed for the university.

    Peterside in his speech after the signing of the MoU, said that he led a delegation from Nigeria to Malmo for the purpose of maritime development.

    He expressed optimism that the MoU would help NIMASA realise its strategic plans to re-position the country’s maritime sector.

    “WMU is an important element of the strategic reforms and repositioning of NIMASA to be the leading maritime administration in Africa.

    “This is also part of ongoing reforms of the maritime sector in Nigeria which the President of Nigeria and Minister of Transportation are championing. The partnership with WMU is in line with the four pillar of NIMASA’s medium term growth plan.

    “Which addresses capacity building, particularly raising a new generation of forward looking Maritime policy makers and regulators,’’ Peterside said.

    Peterside expressed gratitude to the President and Management of WMU for their cooperation, giving a firm commitment that NIMASA would actively implement the provisions of the MoU.

    In his remarks, the President of the WMU, Doumbia-Henry expressed optimism that it would help to support Nigeria’s economic growth.

    “We are delighted with the engagement with NIMASA in the framework of this MoU which will set the stage for a new partnership with Nigeria.

    “We will also help support Nigeria’s economic growth and the competitiveness of its maritime industry as well as advance the maritime interest of the country. This MoU also supports WMU’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).

    “Especially Goal four which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, and Goal 14 which covers ocean issues, including maritime,’’ the president said.

    The MoU covered academic, collaborative and reciprocal activities in the fields of training and research to be provided by WMU geared toward building capacity to grow the Nigerian maritime industry.

    Arrangements relating to fellowship funding for the WMU M.Sc programme are included as well as the M. Phil programme offered in cooperation with the IMO International Maritime Law Institute ( IMLI ) in Malta.

    The MoU provides for NIMASA officers to take advantage of WMU’s distance learning portfolio as well as Executive Professional Development Courses to reinforce the capacity of its staff.

    NAN

  • SDGs to promote human survival, prosperity – SSA

    SDGs to promote human survival, prosperity – SSA

    A presidential aide, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said on Thursday that the  Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) was initiated to address poverty, ensure human survival and prosperity.

    Orelope-Adefulire, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, made the remarks in Kano at the opening of a meeting organised for Conditional Grant Scheme Focal Persons.

    She said, “It envisages a world free from poverty, and deprivation where the fundamental conditions for human survival and prosperity are safeguarded.”

    Our reporter,  reports that the SSA was represented by the Head, Conditional Grant Scheme ( CGS ), Mrs O. M. Olaopo.

    According to her, the 17 Goals and 169 targets of the SDGs are in response to numerous challenges confronting the world.

    She noted that the conditional grants scheme had availed the office the opportunity to leverage available resources from all tiers of government to achieve national policy objectives of delivering change for sustainable socio-economic development in the country.

    Read Also: K1 De Ultimate bags Champion of UN-SDGs Award

    “The CGS provides the framework for solutions to the challenges of gender, maternal and child health, quality education, poverty issues, HIV/AIDS, malaria and environmental issues, among others.”

    She said the meeting provided the participants with the opportunity to brainstorm on ways to manage the CGS better.

    The presidential aide urged the participants to come up with new strategies that would ensure effective implementation of the CGS projects to give the country best value for its money.

    Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje on SDGs, Alhaji Zulyadaini Sid-Mustapha commended the SSA for holding the meeting in Kano.

    NAN

  • Nigeria ranked 11th highest on newborn deaths – UNICEF report

    Nigeria ranked 11th highest on newborn deaths – UNICEF report

    The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund ( UNICEF ), has ranked Nigeria 11th position on newborn deaths globally.

    This is according to a new report on “Newborn Mortality’’ released by UNICEF, which was obtained on Tuesday in Lagos.

    According to the report, eight of the 10 most dangerous places to be born are sub-Saharan Africa, where pregnant women are much less likely to receive assistance during delivery due to poverty, conflict and weak institutions.

    “With the newborn mortality rate of 29 deaths per 1,000 births, the global estimates rank Nigeria as the 11th highest on newborn deaths.

    “In the recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the Government of Nigeria in 2016/17, the rate of newborn deaths per 1000 births is 37.

    “This national average hides the differences between the 36 states and the slow progress in some of them,’’ the report said.

    On the causes of newborn deaths, the report said that more than 80 per cent of newborn deaths were due to prematurity, asphyxia, complications during birth or infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.

    “These deaths can be prevented with access to well-trained midwives during antenatal and postnatal visits as well as delivery at a health facility.

    “These should be along with proven solutions like clean water, disinfectants, breastfeeding within the first hour, skin-to-skin contact, proper cord care, and good nutrition.

    “However, a shortage of well-trained health workers and midwives means that thousands don’t receive the life-saving support they need to survive,’’ it said.

    The report said that globally in low-income countries, the average newborn mortality rate was 27 deaths per 1,000 births, while in high-income countries, it was three deaths per 1,000.

    A statement by UNICEF issued by Eva Hinds, UNICEF Nigeria, quoted Mohamed Fall, UNICEF Nigeria’s Representative as saying “a fair chance in life begins with a strong, healthy start.

    “Unfortunately, many children in Nigeria are still deprived of this, MICS data tells us that the trend is improving but urgent action needs to be taken for Nigeria to reach the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).’’

    The statement also quoted Henrietta Fore, UNICEF’s Executive Director as saying “we have more than halved the number of deaths among children under the age of five in the last quarter century.

    “We have not made similar progress in ending deaths among children less than one month old.

    “Given that the majority of these deaths are preventable, clearly we are failing the world’s poorest babies.’’

    Reacting to the report, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mamaye Evidence for Action, said that the deaths were needless and could be prevented through more concerted efforts by the government and all stakeholders.

    Mr Laide Shokunbi, Media Advisor of the NGO, urged more support from the Federal Government to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in the country.

    “Maternal and neonatal deaths could be prevented when women receive proper health care from skilled providers during pregnancy, at the time of delivery and shortly after birth.

    “Our health facilities should be well-equipped and they should also have skilled providers including doctors, nurses, and midwives always available,’’ he said.

    Also, Mr Akin Jimoh, the Project Director, Development Communications Network (Devcoms), said there was the need for increased sensitisation on how to achieve good maternal, newborn and child health.

    “There is the need for aggressive awareness campaign on maternal and newborn health, especially in rural, semi-urban and hard-to –reach areas, everyone has to be involved.

    “Women and men need to have the right knowledge, our government needs to strengthen our institutions especially the health sector, it has to be well –funded and monitored.

    “Also, our medical and health professionals need to be dedicated and conscientious,’’ Jimoh said.

    NAN

  • Reps task FG on extreme poverty eradication

    Reps task FG on extreme poverty eradication

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday called for effective implementation of programmes aimed at tackling extreme poverty in the country.

    The call was sequel to a unanimous adoption of an Urgent Motion of National Importance move by Rep. Muhammed Wudil (Kano-APC) at plenary.

    Moving the motion earlier, Wudil said UN General Assembly passed a resolution which adopted Oct. 17 as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

    He said the 25th anniversary of the resolution was a wake-up call for governments across the world to rise up to the challenges of providing basic necessities of life.

    “Efforts of the Federal Government to eradicate poverty in Nigeria through the 2017 budgetary provision for the Special Intervention Fund to cater for unemployed youths, women empowerment and job creation has not impacted positively on the country,’’ he said.

    According to him, UN report on Nigeria’s Common Country Analysis (CCA) published in 2016 described the country as one of the poorest.

    The lawmaker said the report showed that over 80 million Nigerians or 64 per cent of the country’s population lived below 1.9 dollars a day.

    In his contribution, Rep. Mohammed Monguno (Borno-APC) said the North-East was the least developed zone in the country and that poverty was endemic in the zone.

    He said the only way to eradicate poverty in the zone was by conscious investment in agriculture for job and wealth creation.

    Also, Rep. Hulayat Omidiran (Osun-APC) said the South-West was equally feeling the pains of hardship.

    Omidiran said that the poverty in the land was unusual as the people now begged for food without shame, a situation hitherto, was unheard off in the zone.

    She said lawmakers representing the zone were also feeling the pinch of extreme poverty in the area.

    She therefore urged the Executive to ensure that the various poverty alleviation programmes got to the right beneficiaries.

    Also speaking, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Abia-PDP) said that in dealing with poverty, there was need to address the basic issues of infrastructure.

    She said government must fix the roads, hospitals, schools and other social amenities needed to raise the standard of living.

    Onyejeocha said that in a situation where government could not increase salary, cost of schools and hospitals could be subsidised to address extreme poverty.

    She said the house must insist on 100 per cent budget implementation, adding that 30 per cent implementation was not acceptable.

    In his contribution, Rep. Wale Raji (Lagos-APC) said a situation where less than 10 per cent of the nation’s populations control over 90 per cent of national resources was unacceptable.

    He said there was need to take a critical look at the managers of the economy with a view to ensure optimum performance.

    Raji called for upward review of minimum wage as a means to address extreme poverty in the country.

    The house urged government to promote the establishment of small and medium enterprises and to ensure the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).

    NAN

  • Nigeria wins World Bank’s youth development initiative

    Nigeria wins World Bank’s youth development initiative

    For the second successive year, Nigeria has won the Ideas for Action initiative, a youth competition on financing for development, which is yearly organised by the World Bank Group in collaboration with the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research.

    Nigeria’s winning proposal, “Kitovu”, came out tops from among 743 proposals from 118 countries, while Uganda’s proposal of “Gifted Hands” and India’s proposal of “Agratam” were adjudged first and second runner ups in this year’s competition.

    Kitovu, is an innovative platform and system that matches fertilizer type and quantity, improved quality seeds, and other inputs to the right soil.

    The proposal envisions a web- and mobile-based decentralised fertilizer and seedling warehousing system that matches the right inputs to different farm locations owned by small-holder farmers in distant locations so as to lower the cost of cultivation while ensuring increased yields.

    Mr. Nwachinemere Emeka Obewe, who initiated the winning proposal, explained that the platform sought to create market access for smallholder farmers in distant locations by using a mix of web, mobile and SMS platforms to link farmers to processors, produce buyers, transporters, and other ecosystem stakeholders to tackle post-harvest losses and enable produce traceability while increasing farmer income.

    The World Bank’s Senior Vice President (The 2030 Development Agenda), Mahmoud Mohieldin, announced the results of the 2017 Ideas for Action initiative on Tuesday in Washington, during the annual meetings of World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

    Mohieldin disclosed that the winners were selected through a vigorous three-stage selection process evaluating the creativity, significance, feasibility, and clarity of the proposals.

    The reviewers, according to him, included young World Bank Group staff, technical experts and senior executives from the World Bank Group, Wharton School and the G-24 Secretariat, among others.

    “The 2017 Ideas for Action competition encourages young people from around the world to develop and share their ideas for innovative approaches, through the smart use of technology, as well as financing solutions, to solve development challenges.

    “It attracts engagement from young people across the globe, with about 38 per cent of submissions from Sub-Saharan African, 15 per cent from Latin American and the Caribbean, 13 per cent from South Asia, 12 per cent from East Asia and the Pacific, 12 per cent from North America, 8 per cent from Europe, and 2 per cent from the Middle East and North Africa,” said the World Bank’s senior officer.

    In her remarks, the World Bank’s Director of Strategy and Operations, Africa Region, Ms. Mamta Murthi, reassured that the Bretton-wood institution would continue to promote and encourage the youth globally.

    She noted that the youth remained the major stakeholders in the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    She said, “We focus on youth for this competition because three billion people – 43 per cent of the world’s population – are under the age of 25. The world’s youth will implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, contributing their unique solutions and shaping their future and ours.

    “The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals that seek to end poverty, promote peace, and preserve the planet for future generations, all by 2030.

    “More ambitious than their predecessor, the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs cover a broad range of interconnected issues, from ending hunger, promoting health, addressing inequality, creating jobs and sustainable economic growth to improving governance and addressing global challenges such as climate change.”

     

     

  • 38 classrooms, 22 health centres constructed in Plateau in 2016

    38 classrooms, 22 health centres constructed in Plateau in 2016

    The Plateau office of Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ), constructed and furnished 38 classrooms and 22 primary health centres in 2016, Mr Samuel Damla, the Coordinator, has said.

    Damla told newsmen on Thursday in Jos that it also constructed 17 boreholes and seven VIP toilets.

    According to him, the projects are spread across various communities in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Shendam, Kanke and Jos North Local Government Areas.

    “The projects are mostly in the rural ares because our mandate is to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the rural communities, especially in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation.

    “We have also constructed boreholes and VIP toilets to promote personal hygiene in some of the communities,” he said.

    He said that the SDGs office trained 2,000 youths on Google digital production and programming this year, and explained that the training would empower the youths with the requisite knowledge to harness the potential of the digital world.

    “The digital world has lots of opportunities and could create many employment opportunities,” he said.

    He said that funds would soon be made available to the SDGs office following the payment of N600 million counterpart funds by the state government.

    “We intend to pay more attention to addressing the menace of erosion and deforestation and support people venturing into agriculture in 2018,” he stated.

  • UNICEF canvasses four weeks paid paternity leave

    UNICEF canvasses four weeks paid paternity leave

    The United Nations Children’s Fund ( UNICEF ) on Tuesday recommended six months paid maternity leave and four weeks paid paternity leave to ensure healthy development of young children.

    UNICEF Representative in Nigeria Mohammed Fall disclosed this at the National Early Childhood Development conference ( ECD ) in Abuja with the theme; “Investing early in Nigerian children’’.

    Fall also recommended two years pre-primary education, adding that the policies will afford parents time and resources needed to support their young children’s healthy development.

    He said that Nigeria currently has three months paid maternity leave, only one year free pre-education and no paternity leave.

    The representative emphasised that based on the 2016 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the key indicators of child development remain low in ally.

    Fall says, “Only about 40 per cent of children within the ages of 36 to 59 months are attending an organised early childhood education programme, while more than 31 per cent of children under the age of five are moderately and severely underweight.

    “Yet research in the Lancet series 2016 shows that early childhood education programme is a foundation for health, productivity, learning and social cohesion’’.

    Fall noted that the conference was aimed at creating awareness on the meaning and importance of the early years of a child from conception to five years in early childhood nutrition, education and development.

    “Nigeria is putting its children at risk of underdeveloped both physically and mentally because critical national policies are not providing an adequate foundation for their growth.

    “During the first one year of a child’s life the brain grows rapidly.

    “Providing good nutrition, loving care and appropriate play provide solid foundation for child’s learning and eventual contribution to economic and social growth.

    “Early Childhood Development includes physical and cognitive support has a strategic place in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).

    “Investing in ECD includes services to support caregivers, quality pre-primary education and good nutrition will help to secure healthy and productive future generations in Nigeria,’’ Fall said.

    “Supporting exclusive breastfeeding, having good ECD policies in place will help to improve the overall health of a child, enable parents and care givers to be more responsive to children’s needs and provide greater safety and security,’’ he added.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the conference was the inauguration of UNICEF report on Early Moments Matter for Early Child.

  • Nigeria expresses commitment to achieving SDGs

    Nigeria expresses commitment to achieving SDGs

    Ms Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, says Nigeria is steadfastly committed to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).

    Orelope-Adefulire stated this at Nigeria’s side event at the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly tagged: ‘Localising SDGs Through Partnership Innovation and Resource Mobilisation’.

    The presidential aide enumerated several progress made by the various arms and tiers of the Nigerian Government to the attainment of the global goals by 2030.

    The SDGs, otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

    The successor programme to the Millennium Development Goals, has a set of 17 global goals with 169 targets, which implementation commenced on Jan. 1, 2016 to Dec. 31, 2030.

    Orelope-Adefulire said: “In order to strengthen the institutional mechanism for SDGs implementation, the Presidential Council on SDGs was recently inaugurated with President Muhammadu Buhari as the Chairman.

    “This signifies unwavering commitment at the highest level of Government to the Global Goals.

    “The Presidential Council will provide direction and support the overall implementation of the SDGs Agenda.

    “To deepen stakeholder engagement, Nigeria has already established standing committees at both the upper and lower chambers of the National Assembly to provide oversight function for SDGs implementation.

    “The Private Sector Advisory Group on SDGs as well as the Donors’ Partnership Forum on SDGs has since commenced work after their inauguration.

    “Synergies are also being built with sub-national Governments to ensure that global policy translates to action at the grassroots.

    “Similar partnerships are being envisaged for other groups within the Nigerian development space in order to leverage resources and mobilise the critical mass needed for the successful implementation of the SDGs”.

    She said Nigeria’s affirmation of the Sustainable Development Goals Declaration was backed with action as government provided the leadership required to ensure the agenda delivers the intended impact without leaving anyone behind.

    According to her, the SDGs align with Nigeria’s development priorities, having been integrated into its planning and budgeting frameworks through its “robust mainstreaming” into Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    “Nigeria has defined a clear path to the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda as succinctly underscored in the MDGs End-Point Report, the Country Transition Strategy on SDGs and its Implementation Plan.

    “Nigeria has made significant strides in meeting data requirements needed to benchmark progress by mapping existing SDG data and by establishing baseline statistics for more than 126 SDGs Indicators.

    “In view of the magnitude of the resources needed for success, Nigeria is expanding the fiscal space for Sustainable Development Goals implementation.

    “This is by conducting a Needs Assessment and Costing exercise in order to provide evidence for effective resourcing of the 2030 Agenda,” she said.

    Orelope-Adefulire said as the world marked the second anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals, it has now become urgent to scale up implementation efforts for success.

    The presidential aide stated that there was no effort too great to spare in the drive to attain the SDGs.

    She warned that failure to achieve the SDG had dire consequences for the current generation and for those yet unborn.

    “We are thus the generation at the threshold of history saddled with the responsibility of bringing about the change that will alter our development trajectory for the benefit of people and planet.”