By James Ezema

The Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals in Oyo State, Mr. Kunle Yusuff has lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for demonstrating a strong commitment to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) earlier initiated by the United Nations in 2015.

Commending Engineer Seyi Makinde after a town hall meeting with Stakeholders, Kunle Yusuff praised the governor for the implementation of 6 major Global Goals, by rolling out 500 Million Naira for Oyo State Youths Development Programme.

The Street Reporters Newspaper gathered that at the stakeholders meeting yesterday, held at House of Chiefs, Secretariat, the Governor noted that, as a result of the reduction in income of many, which was occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent #EndSARs protest, a #500 Million SMEs fund has been set up and the fund will be disburse to youths who have excellent entrepreneur ideas to tackle unemployment rate in Oyo State.

The SDG boss said, this is the way to go. “It’s the one catalytic balance between society pressure and self limit and it’s obvious that Governor Makinde is an Apostle of UN’s SDGs 2030 Global Agenda. He supports it, he represents it and he speaks strongly for SDGs”, he said.

“Governor Seyi Makinde has scored a milestone on SDGs. He just announced the immediate commencement of 6 Major Global Goals by rolling out 500 Millions Naira for Oyo State Youth Developments Programme.

“We should note that under his watch, directives and supervision we are implementing SDGs 17 Global Goals, 100 indicators and 150 targets in the Oyo State.

He said, “I am happy to note the Governor of Oyo State has demonstrated a high level of leadership and strong commitment to the implementation of SDGs. This is so because he is a man of the people and SDGs is about Man and Nature.

He further noted that SDGs is a universal call for action to end poverty, safeguard our planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by the year 2030, saying ” it may also interest you to know that Oyo State is already toeing this Path.”

He said “Youth Developments Initiative program is related to SDGs 6 major Global Goals; Goal 2(Hunger), Goal 4(Education), Goal 5(Genders Equality), Goal 8(Decent Work), Goal 10(Inequality) and Goal 13(Climate Change). Today’s generation of Adolescents and Young People(Between 10 and 24 years) is close to 3.6 million people in Oyo State.

Yusuff however noted that, the 2030 SDGs Global Agenda may not be attainable if Government at all levels, International Development Agencies and Civil Society Organisations do not actively participate in tackling Youth Challenges.

“I therefore commend His Excellency for his Vision and his leadership styles, especially in the empowerment of young people and investment in agriculture.”

The SDG boss who sued for the patience of residents, explained that
there is a need for connectivity between SDGs and the people, which will improve the livelihood of Oyo State.

While urging the Federal Government to ensure adequate budgetary provision to the programme in the Pacesetter State, Yusuff reasoned, “Let me use this medium to appeal to the Federal Government to increase its funding to SDGs because it deals directly with people and touches those who feel rejected.”

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