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SDGs 2030: Nigeria Calls for Measures to Address Challenges of Development
SDGs 2030: Nigeria Calls for Measures to Address Challenges of Development
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has called for adoption of measures to address challenges impending development of especially global South countries.
Speaking at the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar said: “With most of the global South significantly behind in the implementation of the SDGs 2030 Agenda, it is imperative we adopt measures to address challenges impeding development.
“This is especially important in Africa, where economies are most vulnerable due to historical imbalances in the international multilateral system.”
He noted that: “The SDG Index estimates that only about 16 percent of the SDG targets are on track to be achieved. We must, therefore, ensure that today’s adoption of the Pact for the Future is backed by a real willingness to fulfil outstanding commitments. With the remaining 84% of the SDG targets for 2030 yet to be achieved, countries in the global North must do more to support sustainable development in the global South. We are optimistic that these targets can be met, if commitments are backed by action.
“However, in the event we fall short of achieving the SDG targets by 2030, we strongly believe that the deadline should be extended.”
The Minister added that: “The collective resolve and support of the international community could help Africa to address regional challenges, particularly with regard to sustainable financing for the SDG implementation.”
He advised that: “We must, therefore, take action-oriented measures to engender the
following: Reform of the UN Security Council to ensure a permanent seat for Africa; Reform of the international financial architecture to promote an inclusive, non-discriminatory and transparent international trading system, as well as to implement comprehensive debt relief measures;
“Fulfillment of all commitments under the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, particularly to facilitate sustainable financing for development; Support for local indigenous production and export from Africa; Strengthening of measures to ensure timely repatriation of illicit financial flows and assets; Adoption of a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation to ensure African economies are no longer shortchanged through tax evasion and exclusion in global tax decision making; Support for the actualisation and implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s SDG stimulus proposal, which includes a provision of US$500 billion per year for the Global South;
“Commitment to fossil fuel energy transition, while giving due consideration to the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), as well as Articles 4 and 9 of the Paris Climate Agreement (2015), which call on the global North to provide the global South with the requisite support to achieve the net-zero ambition; Access to the climate loss and damage funds for the global South; and Bridging the digital divide between the global North and South through technology sharing and capacity building, including in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure no one is left behind.”
Tuggar said: “It is also imperative the international community develops measures
to enhance a common understanding on Cryptocurrency, given its significant impact on the global economy, as well as links to transnational crime and money laundering.”
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, stressing that: “Our collective resolve to accelerate the SDGs through the Pact for the Future should result in concrete measures and solutions to the challenges of the global South, most especially Africa.”
SDGs 2030: Nigeria Calls for Measures to Address Challenges of Development
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UN Women, Stakeholders Strategize on Getting Special Seats Bill Passed to Increase Number of Women Holding Political Positions
UN Women, Stakeholders Strategize on Getting Special Seats Bill Passed to Increase Number of Women Holding Political Positions
By: Michael Mike
Key stakeholders, including United Nations
(UN) Women and Women Political Participation Partners Working Group are fine-tunning plans and drumming support for the passage of Special Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the Strategy Convening on Special Seats Bill – Opportunities and Challenges: Options for State and Grassroot Advocacy Positioning Citizens for Nation-Wide Conversation, Ms Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, explained that the Special Seats Bill, seeks to address the under-representation of women in leadership positions.
She explained that the Bill, when passed into law, would be a major boost in enhancing women’s voice and representation in the country’s leadership and in the legislative agenda.
The intention of the bill is to create special seats for women as a temporary but necessary corrective measure, and its
passage is expected not only to strengthen the presence of women in national and state legislatures but also set a precedent for inclusive governance that reflects the diversity of Nigeria’s population.
The bill has been designed to suit Nigeria’s political and electoral context providing for seat reservations (women-only seats) because only women compete for such reserved seats, and they do not displace male elites contrary to popular belief among the political elite.
The bill also seek to amend sections 48, 49 and 91 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to create 74 seats in the National Assembly and 108 seats in the States Houses of Assembly (altogether) bringing the total number of seats to 182 seats in the Legislative arm of government.
In the current National Assembly, Eyong decried that women only occupy 3% of the seats in the Senate and 3.9% of the seats in the House of Representatives.
She revealed that UN Women has built strategic partnerships to garner support for the Special Seats Bill across the country.
She said: “UN Women has built strategic partnerships that are already yielding important advocacy results in terms of support for the Special Seats Bill across the country.
“15 Radio Stations and two TV Stations are hosting weekly programmes on the Special Seats Bill.
“The campaign is also being catalysed through newspapers and different media platforms.
“Further, UN Women will support the convening of 120 townhalls across 24 states to give citizens the opportunity to interact with the Bill and prepare memoranda to be submitted to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitutional Reform during their state-level and zonal public hearings.
“This will be supported by over 500,000 physical endorsements of the Bill in the 24 states.
“This great campaign is made possible courtesy, the Governments of Canada and the United Kingdom. We salute these two governments in their resolute to walk this journey with the Nigerian women.”
In her welcome address, the Chair, Women Political Participation Partners Working Group, Barrister Ebere Ifendu, explained that the intent of the “bill is to provide for a temporary specific measure to fast-track women’s political participation in Nigeria, the seats will be tenured for a specific amount of years and may be reviewed by the National Assembly.”
She pointed out that the meeting was convened to assess the opportunities and challenges surrounding the bill, refine strategies for national and grassroots advocacy, and to coordinate efforts to ensure the bill gains the support it needs in both houses of the National Assembly and across at least 24 State Houses of Assembly.
She added that. “The next few months (from May to August 2025) will be decisive. They demand from us a united voice, strategic action, and fervent commitment.
“We must engage our representatives in the National Assembly, mobilise citizens, raise critical awareness, amplify grassroots support, coordinate efforts and ensure that women, including young women and women with disabilities, are not just participants, but leaders in shaping the future of our democracy.”
UN Women, Stakeholders Strategize on Getting Special Seats Bill Passed to Increase Number of Women Holding Political Positions
Benue ward head kidnapped by gunmen, search underway
By: Zagazola Makama
A 50-year-old ward head, Dickson Idu, has been abducted by unknown gunmen in Benue State.
Zagazola understand that the incident occurred around 7:30 PM on April 29, 2025, along a bush road between Egwanokwu and Aiegaji villages, located in the Ohimini Local Government Area.
Nigerian troops with the support of the Police and Benue Civil Protection Guards, were swiftly deployed to the scene.
Authorities have begun combing the surrounding bushes in an effort to rescue the victim unharmed and to engage the kidnappers.
Benue ward head kidnapped by gunmen, search underway
Student Commit Suicide at Nasarawa State University
By: Zagazola Makama
A 23-year-old student of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), identified as Jatau Shebah Rilokwah, was found dead in an apparent suicide in the university’s senior staff quarters.
Zagazola was informed the discovery was made on April 27, 2025, by Emmanuel Gyawo, a security officer at the university, who was directed by Professor Shedrack Jatau to check on his son. Upon arriving at the residence, Gyawo found Rilokwah hanging from the ceiling.
Professor Jatau, who was reportedly out of state at the time, was informed of the incident. A team of police detectives, led by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Angwan Lambu, was dispatched to the scene.
The body showed no signs of violence, and no suicide note was found. Rilokwah was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Keffi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. His body has been deposited in the hospital morgue.
Police sources say investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Student Commit Suicide at Nasarawa State University
President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice Pays Courtesy Visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State
President Tinubu Poised To Unleash Nigeria’s Full Potential On African Continent, Says VP Shettima
NIMC Announces Price Review for Services
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