Nigerian Governors weekend sought assistance of foreign partners in the execution of Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.
The governors, who met with the international partners on the sideline of the 74th United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, USA, agreed that the SDGs had limitless potentials to enhance the lives of their people.
No fewer than 10 governors, led by chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, attended the meeting brokered by UNGA president, Prof. Tijani-Mohammed Bande.
Speaking at the meeting, with theme, “The Role of Sub-national Governments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement,” Fayemi noted that it was important for the governors to attend the event, given the ” existential threat ” faced by their states.
He said the problem of climate change could no longer be ignored, adding that the consequences have become too obvious in different states, especially considering the amount of flooding, desertification and other threats across the country.
The governor cited a recent international report which warned that Lagos State, for example, could be submerged if nothing was done soon
Also speaking, David Umahi, Ebonyi State governor, said flooding and erosion had worsened in the South East states.
Umahi called for international interventions to enable the states upgrade their infrastructure to tackle the challenges.
“Of course, we had to emphasize the new threat of climate change. In the past, many people lived with erosion and flooding occasionally, but these days, it is on the increase every year.
“We need strategic infrastructure to tackle this, it’s quite a huge capital. So we had to solicit for funds to assist the people of South East in solving these problems.”
On his part, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, governor of Borno State, who also expressed his appreciation to the federal government, his state had sought interventions on receding Lake Chad, security and climate change, especially the goal 13.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, Asishana Okaura, told reporters that the governors meeting with the international partners would re-energise them toward the implementation of SDGs.
“It (climate change) is an existential threat and states have a role in ensuring that they implement things that will reduce its power.
“Secondly, there is a connection between climate change and SDGs. And ordinarily, the expectation is for them (governors) to frame development plan around SDGs.
“Of course, funding is an issue, there are funders, they are ready to come to Nigeria because they find Nigeria very atractive investment environment but there is need for us to really put our house in order.
“There are international development partners and agencies ready but they will not just come into a place without the requisite environment.
In his remarks at the meeting, President of the 74th UN General Assembly Prof Tijani Mohammed-Bande, said achieving Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, could only be achieved from the local government level.
Prof Bande said: Security, poverty eradication, quality education, if we really want to achieve these goals, we must start from the local government level. SDGs are critical to the world but when it comes to implementation, “we have to start from the local government.”
Governors at the meeting were Simon Lalong (Plateau); Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara); Babagana Zulum ( Borno); Umar Ganduje, (Kano); David Umahi (Ebonyi); Emeka Ihedioha ( Imo); and Babatunda Sanwo-Olu(Lagos).
Also present at the meeting was Amina Ibrahim, the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Amina Ibrahim, who promised the organisers that the UN would support their initiative.
