Economy

COVID-19 outbreak, a challenge to SDGs target — Presidency

Published

5 years ago

August 20, 2020

The Federal Government said on Wednesday that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic across the world had challenged the prospects of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, stated this at Lafarge Africa Sustainability Webinar series.
The webinar was themed: “The Decade of Action: Advancing the SDGs in a Post Pandemic Era”.
Orelope-Adefulire, in a keynote address, said the socio-economic uncertainties and disruptions of the pandemic came at a substantial cost to the Nigerian economy – which was largely dependent on oil and gas revenues.
Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by Dr Bala Yusuf, Senior Technical Advisor, said COVID-19 had revealed the vulnerability of healthcare systems in developing countries.
She noted that ‘Decade of Action’ means 10 more years of active implementation of the global goals by all the stakeholders.
According to her, 10 more years to cover grounds and achieve the transformative promise to ‘leave-no-one-behind’ by the year 2030.
“Unfortunately, just as we commenced the ‘Decade of Action’ for the SDGs in January 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic across the world has now challenged the prospects of achieving the SDGs.
“Indeed, beyond the health hazards and human consequences of the pandemic, the socio-economic uncertainties and disruptions come at a substantial cost to the Nigerian economy – which is largely dependent on oil and gas revenues.
“Evidently, COVID-19 has revealed the vulnerability of healthcare systems in developing countries.
“Unfortunately, those who suffered the most are the poor and most vulnerable – women, children, people with disabilities, and older persons.
“Regrettably, it had to take COVID-19 outbreak to appreciate these and we now have the responsibility to act quick, act strong and act precise to attain the transformational change we all desire.
“It is said that ‘critical times call for critical measures.
“This extraordinary moment requires that we all come together to find creative and innovative ways to build more equal, inclusive and resilient societies.
“We must urgently build-back, if we are to be on track to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
“Evidently, one of the most effective ways to do this is by strengthening existing partnerships between the public and private sectors and other critical stakeholders.
“We have seen classical demonstrations of these partnerships in the fight against COVID-19,” she stated.
She said the Lafarge Africa webinar “is in line with our idea of the Private Sector Advisory Group on SDGs, which is to create a strategic platform for galvanising ideas, mobilising expertise and financial resources in support of the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria.”
Orelope-Adefulire noted that financing sustainable development was not just about mobilising capital for specific projects and programmes.
“It is equally about ensuring the organised private sector becomes adapted to financing for sustainable development, by altering the way in which private finance operates so that its own processes are both sustainable and support sustainability,” she added.

She called for enhanced public-private partnership as seen in the fight against COVID-19 to overcome the challenges ahead.

Mr Ade Adefioye, Lafarge Africa Chairman, said its sustainability strategy was focused on four pillars: Climate and Energy, Circular Economy, Environment and Community.
“With the impact of COVID-19 and more than before, our commitment to sustainability is absolute. Joining this conversation today is one of the ways we want to further entrench economic and social governance,” Adefioye said.

Country Chief Executive, Lafarge Africa Plc, Khaled El-Dokani, explained that the Sustainability Series was a four week long engagement which would focus on what was needed collectively to achieve more measurable impact and accelerate the SDGs.

He added that “it affords an opportunity to share best practices for adoption in Nigeria and agree collectively how we can jointly progress the SDGs from the decade of action.” (NAN)

Economy

FGN Poised To Dismantle Kidnap Economy – General Laka

Published

2 weeks ago

July 30, 2025

Our Reporter

From Lateef Taiwo

The Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Major General Adamu Laka, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to ending kidnap economy in the country.

General Laka stated this while briefing newsmen on the activities of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell in collaboration with the United Kingdom – National Crime Agency on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the centre had officially launched the State Expansion Programme of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell, bridging a critical gap between national security coordination and state-level tactical response.

The National Coordinator noted that kidnapping in Nigeria was no longer a random crime, but an industry being ran by sophisticated and well-armed criminal networks that thrive on fear and fund violence through ransoms.

According to him, the programme was aimed at dismantling that economy by connecting national strategy with boots-on-ground action.

He said the fusion cell was created in partnership with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to facilitate high-profile rescues and breaking up kidnapping rings across the country.

The national coordinator noted that kidnapping in Nigeria was no longer a random crime, but an industry being ran by sophisticated and well-armed criminal networks that thrive on fear and fund violence through ransoms.
According to him, the programme was aimed at dismantling that economy by connecting national strategy with boots-on-ground action.

He said the fusion cell was created in partnership with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to facilitate high-profile rescues and breaking up kidnapping rings across the country.

General Laka noted the cell had played key roles in supporting rescue operations, disrupting kidnapping networks, and improving interagency coordination.

According to him, experience has shown that while national coordination is crucial, state-level engagement is also indispensable.

“Too often, real-time intelligence, local knowledge, and operational readiness reside with field commands, while national coordination can only succeed when it is informed by ground realities.

“This is the primary purpose of this programme – to close the gap between national-level coordination and state-level response. Essentially, to build direct operational linkages between the Cell and state commands across the country,” Laka said.

Economy

Food Security: Sanwo-olu Commended Over Launch of ₦500bn ‘Produce for Lagos’

Published

2 weeks ago

July 26, 2025

Our Reporter

The Good Governance Campaign Forum (GGCF) has praised the Lagos State Government for launching the “Produce for Lagos” programme, describing this initiative and its ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund as a brilliant solution to the food insecurity challenges the nation faces.

The Forum issued this commendation in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Rahman Suleiman, on Wednesday, following the official unveiling ceremony of the program earlier in the week.

The program aims to transform Lagos’ food system and reduce the state’s dependency on external food sources, receiving positive recognition both within and outside the state for the Sanwo-Olu-led government’s efforts.

According to Suleiman, the initiative is timely and represents a pioneering collaboration between the Lagos State Government, the private sector, the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company (LAFSINCO), Ekolog, and the Lagos Bulk Trading Company. He noted that this model is designed not only to enhance food production and logistics across the state but could also serve as a scalable framework for improving livelihoods and national resilience.

Suleiman shared insights from the Forum’s sampling of public opinion in Lagos and other states, indicating that people are pleased with the Lagos State Government’s strategic programs aimed at tackling hunger and starvation. He emphasized that a key component of the “Produce for Lagos” program is its data-driven approach, which will help address agricultural inefficiencies and strengthen value chains.

“Food security is a collective responsibility that we cannot afford to neglect as a nation,” Suleiman stated. “We are grateful to God for providing us with a leader like Sanwo-Olu, who is visionary, forward-thinking, and compassionate toward ordinary people.”

He commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for consistently setting benchmarks and leading by example in subnational governance. These achievements underscore the economic growth, infrastructural development, and urban planning efforts of the Lagos government.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is a trailblazer; he has done exceptionally well, and we fully support his programs and policies. His work over the past six years speaks for itself,” he added.

Suleiman noted that this initiative, a partnership between the state government and the private sector, is expected to significantly boost agricultural production.

During the launch, Governor Sanwo-Olu also announced the deployment of a fleet of 150 cold and dry trucks—the largest of its kind—in partnership with the private sector.

Business mogul Tony Elumelu, who supported the project with ₦25 billion, stated that food security is crucial and expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between Lagos and other participating states.

Other prominent individuals at the event included Amir Kamel, Vice President of Afreximbank, and Michel Deleen, the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, among other dignitaries.

Economy

Constitution Amendment: Group Urges NASS, FG To Prioritise Restructuring, Regionalism

Published

3 weeks ago

July 24, 2025

Our Reporter

… rejects the creation of new states

A prominent youth organization, the Youth Bureau, has urged the National Assembly to prioritize genuine restructuring of Nigeria, emphasizing regional autonomy and the establishment of State Police without further delay. This call comes as the legislature reviews the nation’s constitution.

The demand was articulated in the group’s Position Paper presented to the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment for the South-West Zone, which convened recently in Lagos.

In a statement signed by its Southern Coordinator, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday in Lagos, the Youth Bureau also rejected calls for the creation of new states. The group warned that the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government contradicts their position, asserting that its implementation should be set aside. They believe only the State Government should have the authority to create local governments.

AbdulRazaq urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize comprehensive restructuring, as it is fundamental to effective governance and development. He encouraged the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment to make bold decisions that will have a positive impact on the populace.

He pointed out that the regional governments established in the late 1960s in Nigeria facilitated healthy governance and development, particularly under the Action Group government led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Western Region. During that period, significant advancements were made in free education initiatives, healthcare infrastructure, industrialization, and overall infrastructure growth.

AbdulRazaq noted that the abolition of regional autonomy by the late General Aguyi Ironsi led to a unitary system of government, which resulted in excessive concentration of power in the central government, a lack of adherence to the rule of law, and restricted resource control and financial autonomy for the regions.

The Youth Bureau’s position paper includes the following demands and recommendations for the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment:

Our Demands

We urge the National Assembly Committee to consider the following:

Genuine restructuring of the country based on regional autonomy.
No need for the creation of additional states.
The formation of State Police without further delay.
Recognition that local government is a component of state government; the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government contradicts this principle, and its implementation should be set aside. Only the State Government should have the authority to create local governments.

Conclusion

We believe that a decentralized governance system founded on devolution and decentralization will ensure political and fiscal autonomy for its component units and promote equity among them. We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize comprehensive restructuring and encourage the National Assembly Committee to make bold decisions that positively affect the citizenry.

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