Osun state Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, has called on government at all levels to partner with corporate organisations for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals come 2030.
Speaking at Osun state University, Osogbo, during the official launch and international symposium on Global Affairs and Sustainable Development Institute on Tuesday, Oyetola, who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, also called on other universities to join the universal agenda.
“For the nation to live up to expectations, it must produce a workable road map for this universal initiative, must the political will, design and implement a local strategic plan, fix economy and improve on the ongoing anti-corruption was as a platform for achieving these goals.
“Achieving the core aspects of SMDGs – poverty reduction, education, health and environmental issues – has been a herculean challenge to developing nations, including Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Osun state University, Prof Labode Popoola, opined that those in academia are not doing well in providing the needed leadership, the needed research data and the needed knowledge base to address the issue bordering on achievement of sustainability.
“The SDGs underline the importance of an integrated approach to economic, social and environmental challenges. Evidence suggests that we ignore the inter-linkages among economic, social and environmental factors in our development trajectory, and this is at our peril.
“Lack of employment, poor access to education, and deteriorating environmental conditions affect economic growth negatively.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Acting Director, Global Affairs and Sustainable Development Institute, GASDI, said the institute is committed to the attainment of sustainable development.
He said, “our intellectual engagement at GASDI will be purposeful and goal-oriented; we commit ourselves to the banishment of poverty, the protection of our environment and improvement in livelihood, not on ad-hoc basis but in a sustained manner.
With commitment, we shall attain sustained economic growth, promotion of economic activities that do not degrade the environment, promotion of agriculture that turn out produce that are safe for human consumption, banishment of poverty, improvement of livelihoods and sustained peace.”
