CAS2030 held its 3rd National Conference on THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, SDGs, May 17-19, 2022 with the theme: ‘Localizing the SDGs: Harnessing the Impacts of COVID-19 On SDGs Implementation in Africa’ and the sub-theme: ‘Building Forward Better, Prospects and Strategies for Achieving The SDGs in the Decade of Action’. Venue was Vienna International Hotel, Asaba.
The Conference featured a football tournament, presentations on SDG and award presentations to dedicated SDG partners.
OBSERVATION
Presentations on varied topics bothering on COVID-19 and its impacts on the actualization of Nigeria’s SDGs targets, revealed that the pandemic dealt a heavy blow on Nigeria, slowing down progress although some limited measures of success have been recorded.
The Conference observed that about 14 states of the federation have localized the SDGs programme but that there is a general lack of awareness about SDGs and the opportunities they offer necessary for success of the global programme.
It observed that COVID-19 deepened poverty and worsened the financial status of both families and the Nigerian government with women, the elderly, children and persons with disability bearing the major brunt.
It further observed a lack of synergy between federal, state, local governments and the community people, a gap which needs to be bridged and commended the state governments that have intentionally built SDGs into their policies.
Building forward for better results, the conference recommended as follows:
*There is need for more capacity building, policy frameworks and more engagement to resolve development challenges in Nigeria.
*There should be a strong collaboration between all stakeholders -traditional rulers, media, religious leaders, and others critical to ensure the success of the country’s SDGs implementation.
*The office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on SDGs should initiate a rigorous awareness campaign for the grassroots, media, and religious groups to make meeting the 2030 target a reality
*CSOs should embark on advocacy visits to key stakeholders/influencers to promote the SDGs.
* There should be synergy between the federal, states and the local governments on SDGs prioritization and implementation.
*There should be increased capacity building for CSOs to strengthen the SDGs mechanism through monitoring and evaluation.
*Budgetary allocation to education and health should be increased by the FG in accordance with the agreed UN recommendations to address the gaps and women should embrace more education to develop potentials for tackling problems confronting them
*CSOs should galvanize support for the successful establishment of the National Citizen Center recently established by the Federal Government to highlight issues on the elderly so they will not be left behind.
*Best route to equality is through intentional inclusion of women and persons with disability in governance and development programmes.
*Nigeria should strengthen evidence-based planning and accountability mechanisms at State level for accelerating the SDG decade of action-2020-2030.
*In line with UN-Women recommendations for coping with COVID -19 Impact, recognize the paid and unpaid contributions of women and increase access to economic support for women in the informal sector.
*Water is health, wealth and a right therefore, government at all levels should treat as priority to save lives and avoid future epidemics and pandemics.
*Government at all levels should design efficient and transparent welfare packages for those living below poverty line and the very vulnerable to reduce poverty.
Participants expressed appreciation to the organizers, CAS2030, office of the senior special adviser of SDGs, the Delta State Government and the state Director General SDG as well as the UNDP, leadership of the Delta State Traditional Council, Omu Anioma, HRH (Dr) Martha Dunkwu and other partners who supported the conference.
Signed: Ambassador Caroline Usikpedo
