Gov. Sanwo-Olu Receives Lagos SDGs Youth Alliance Champions, Renews Support for the Platform

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has renewed his administration’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs Youth Alliance. 

The Governor’s commitment was greeted with all-round acceptance from youths championing interventions across the 17 goals, as key SDGs advocates thronged the State House in Alausa to witness the formal launch of the initiative by the Governor.

Frontline Nollywood star, Jim Iyke, a musician, Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy and Yoruba film actress, Jumoke Odetola, led the youths to the event.

No fewer than 9,000 youths leading interventions across the SDGs in Lagos have signed up to be on the alliance.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu, who was visibly excited by the acceptance of the alliance, told the youths that the future had arrived, as the partnership would afford them to lead Government’s interventions across the SDGs deliverables.
 He stressed that his Government would be willing to play supportive role, while the youth SDGs advocates leverage their network to make greater impacts across communities.

He urged the youths to turn the collaborative effort to a life-changing platform, saying the initiative would be a success story if it directly touched lives of the vulnerable people.

The Governor said: “The objective around the alliance is to use the SDGs as a springboard for real development. There is no way we can talk about the future if young people are not in the conversation. I thank the youth advocates and various influencers for accepting to work with us on this alliance. By working with the Government, the interventions can reach a lot of people quicker and faster.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond, said the alliance was borne out of the conviction that the youth demographic represented a potent force to drive positive impacts.

She said the Sanwo-Olu administration embodied progressive collaboration and engagement, expressing hope that the alliance would achieve its objectives.

While presenting the SDGs champions to Gov. Sanwo-Olu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SDGs, Lekan Fatodu, said: “Many of the young people we have on the alliance are most active advocates in physical and digital spaces. They have expressed their interest in sustaining the engagement with the Government to deepen trust and confidence.”

Nollywood actor Jim Iyke said he was excited by the willingness of the Governor to allow the youths drive the alliance. He approved of the partnership and pledged his commitment to its success.
Also, Ms Odetola promised to use her Nollywood platform to promote actions in the areas of mental health, substance abuse and gender equality.