SDGsACT Lagos Sensitised Leo Club International on SDGs

It was a great honor for me on Saturday to grace the invitation by the Region 1 Leo Club International district 404A1 at their Leadership training for three campus-based clubs: Yabatech, Laspotech and Tasued Leo Club and 5 other community based Leo clubs. I was opportune to address the club presidents on Youth participation in the implementation of the SDGs.

This leadership hang out is another call to action for me and all key actors in SDGs advocacy that we really still have long way to go in the awareness and implementation of the SDGs. Our roles as youth is key to the future, 2030 is upon us. Policies and decision about how future MUST come from our own design thinking, resilience for the future of work that will help us to live peacefully in a sustainable environment. So we must do everything possible and work together as a unit to build a stronger nation, we must continuously engage the government, communities and key players in developing a strategy that works together… this is the age of Anthropocene.

I really had a good time, as many of the great leaders I met shared their ideas of future projects together, they are also motivated to go back to their respective clubs to teach, create awareness and implement sustainable projects.

SDGsACT will continue to stand by her mission to sign up youth across the nation to support and implement the SDGs, do reach out to us if you have projects to implement, thinking of sustainable strategies and passionate volunteers? We will sure be there to build a great nation together.#LeavingNoOneBehind

Adolescent and Sexual Reproductive Health

PRESENTATION BY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALs AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TOUR NIGERIA AT MINISTRY OF YOUTHS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

LAGOS STATE YOUTH PARLIAMENT  3^RD LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY YOUTH DIALOGUE. 27^th JUNE 2018.

 THE CONCEPT OF ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence is a period of transition between childhood and adulthood: it is a period in which although no longer considered a child, the young person is not considered adult neither.

DEFINITIONS

Adolescence is the period of transition from childhood to adulthood, and involve physical, psychological, cognitive and social behavioural changes.

In terms of age group, Nigeria’s Policy on Health and Development of Adolescent and Young People defines adolescents as people of between age 10 to 19 years. This definition is in line with the definition used by World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations agencies.

The age group can be sub divided into three periods

·        Early: 10 to 14 years

·        Middle: 15 to 17 years

·        Late: 18 to 19 years

RATIONALE FOR FOCUSING ON ADOLESCENT HEALTH

 Demographic and Health Situation of Adolescents in Nigeria

Background

Adolescent constitute one of the most important population groups – a vital bridge between childhood and adulthood. Given their size and characteristics, they are a country’s most valuable assets. With proper investment in their lives and development, they can play a key role in the development of their societies and nations. Properly nurtured and guided, adolescents have a capacity to achieve their potentials and grow into productive adults. On the other hand, wrong decisions and actions may lead to increase morbidity and mortality and compromise their future. Thus, perhaps more than other groups in the society, adolescents occupy an exciting but potentially dangerous position.

Adolescence is a period of both opportunities and challenges. The opportunities include development of new capabilities and relationships. On the other hand, the transition to adulthood often involves periods of stress, innovation, experimentation and disorganization. The fundamental changes that are happening in today’s world in almost every sphere of life – including technology, social, political, legal and health field – further create challenges for young people.

Demographic Situation

With a population of over 180 million, Nigeria has a “young population” structure with 60 to 65% of the population constituting of young adults. Over 30 million Nigerians are between the ages of 10 t0 19 years and nearly one third of Nigeria’s population is between the ages of 10 t0 24 years.

Health Situation of Adolescents

The leading health problems of young people in Nigeria are: sexual and reproductive health, substance abuse, mental health, trauma, injuries and nutritional problems. The availability of data on these health problems vary considerably, with sexual and reproductive health enjoying higher research attention than others particularly in terms on national surveys.

Key Adolescent Health Challenges

These are few challenges that adolescent is facing in our communities in their day to day lives and these challenges are overlapping.

1.     Sexual behaviour

2.     Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS

3.     Teenage pregnancy

4.     Nutrition

5.     Substance abuse and Mental Health

6.     Accidents and Violence (all forms of sexual violence and coercion)

7.     Access to Health Services

8.     Economic rationale

KEY LEGAL AND POLICY PROVISION ABOUT ADOLESCENTS IN NIGERIA

Legal Provisions

The lead focal policy on adolescent health in Nigeria is the National Policy on the Health and Development of Adolescent and Young People. This policy, which was developed in 2007, build upon the 1995 policy and has nine focal areas:

Ø Sexual and reproductive health and rights;

Ø Nutrition;

Ø Accidents and violence;

Ø Mental health;

Ø Substance use and abuse;

Ø Education;

Ø Career and employment;

Ø Spirituality;

Ø Social adjustment and parental responsibilities

Nigeria has also developed a number of other policies with significant provisions for the health and development of adolescents. These include:

1.     The National Education Policy (1998)

2.      National Reproductive Health Policy and Strategy (2001) *

3.     The Child Right Acts (2004)

4.     The National Health Policy (2004)

5.     The National Population Policy (2004)

6.     The National Nutrition Policy (2005)

7.     National Policy on HIV&AIDS for Education Sector in Nigeria (2005)

8.     The National School Health Policy (2006)

9.     National Health and Development of Adolescents and Young People in Nigeria (2007)

10. National Reproductive Health Policy and Strategy (2001)

11. The National Youth Policy (2009)

12. The National Policy on HIV/AIDS (2009)

RECOMMENDATION

Thinking of what needs to be done requires government, stakeholders, civil society organizations and policy experts to thinking sustainable solutions for Sexual and Adolescents health. Many a times we have identified that Nigeria have one of the best policies in the world but implementation is our major problem.

All over the world young people needs:

ü Accurate and comprehensive information on their sexuality;

ü Supports and skills to postpone starting sex for those who are not yet sexually active;

ü Access to protective measure to prevent unwanted pregnancy, STIs including HIV&AIDS for those who have initially have sex;

ü Protection and care from sexual abuse and exploitation; and

ü Access to range of youth friendly services that are designed to promote their sexual and reproductive health.

CALL TO ACTION

Countries, with the support of international community should protect and promote the rights of adolescents to reproductive health education, information and care, and strive to reduce sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy among adolescents. For these to be achieved we need to consider:

1.     The roles of Sexual education

2.     The roles of parents/guardians

3.     The roles of teachers and educational administrators

4.     The roles of health care providers

5.     The roles of policy makers

6.     The roles of religious and community leaders and

7.     The roles of the mass media

Adolescents may not constitute 100 percent of our population but they certainly make up. 100 percent of our country’s future. Life-long attitudes and behavioural patterns are formed in adolescence therefore, addressing their needs will have positive consequences for them now and throughout their lives.

Young people need to learn about their sexuality and reproductive health from everyone in a position to provide accurate information and counselling. The international Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action highlights this urgent need for parents, educators, healthcare providers, programme planners, advocates and policy makers to address the peculiar needs of adolescents: “Governments, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations are urged to meet the special needs of adolescents and to establish appropriate programmes to respond to those needs. Such programmes should include supportive mechanisms for the education and counselling of adolescents in the area of gender relations and equality, violence against adolescents, responsible sexual behaviour, responsible family – planning practice, family life, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, HIV infection and AIDS prevention. Programmes for the prevention and treatment of sexual abuse and incest other reproductive health services should be provided. Such programmes should provide information to adolescents and make a conscious effort to strengthen positive social and cultural values.

References

·        World Health Organisation

·        United Nations Population Fund

·        Action Health Incorporated

·        John Hopkins Population Information Programme

·        Nigeria Family Health Service Project

·        Federal Ministry of Health and Social Services

Contact us

·        Facebook: Sdgs Act Lagos

·        Instagram: @lagossdgsact

·        Twitter: @sdgsact_lagos

·        Whatsapp: 08093198572

·        Email: sdgsactlagos@gmail.com

·        Youtube: SDGs Nigeria

·        Blog: www.sdgsactafrica.blogspot.com

Where Community Service Got Me

Written by Muhammad Idris
MY ADVISE TO THE PASSED OUT CORPS MEMBERS.
2 years after i passed out, i didn't get a job but instead, i used the period to be doing community services and volunteerism. Trust me when i said, through this venture, u will meet people, contacts as long as u have  genuine objectives and a lot depends on your priority. My priority was human right and humanitarian (IDP, hunger&poverty).
HOW IT HAPPENED?
The first month after my POP, I browsed about Bring Back Our Girls, got their number and joined their meetings and peaceful demonstrations. I was opportuned to join the team members who led the parents of the chibok girls to to presidential villa to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari.
One day in BBOG meeting, I saw Amnesty International who paid a courtesy visit, before then, I could only see them on CNN and ALJAZEERA but I never knew they were in Nigeria untill then.
I joined them; went places and was recognized and respected due to my affiliation with them (brand name). At the same period, I met a Doctor (George) among the volunteers who then invited me to join his medical outreach to an IDP camp (which was my first time)
The outrach was successful and I played an important role in its success. He then linked me to another International NGO (Pro health International) which took me across few states to deliver food and medical care free of charge (I pay my transport fare).
From there I got another person who gave me his contact and I got into a whatsap group filled other opportunities.

One day, I saw a broadcast from LIVEBRIDGE FOUNDATION requesting for volunteers for an IDP camp outreach. My place was far from the camp but guess what, I was the first person among the volunteers to reach the camp ( first impression matters), in addition to that I cordinated some of the activities and language translation and the owner of the FOUNDATION got inpressed and chatted me up for another event.
Next, she invited me to join another outreach to a community where they kill twins and triplets where I only did record keeping, story writing and BMI for the malnourished kids. I wrote the story on nairaland.com and made front page for the first time with 30k views in one day.

From there, A friend, Austin who I was opportuned to meet through Amnesty international asked me to get him a community that lacks water, good health care and education. I made some calls and got a place and went for the adventure to a community called KUCHIDNA (one of my success stories, detailed in another article). Before I came, they drink from mud water but courtesy of Austin (Basic rights watch) and LIVEBRIDGE FOUNDATION gave them borehole water, medical supplies and the rest and till today me and the community members, their king  are Padddy and they keep calling me.

One day, I received another call from a friend Paul to help him with a community across Nigeria that lacks good educational facilities. I helped him got one in Niger and this wekend, they will travel to go and commission it courtsey of livebridge and swiss embassy.

In fact I am still counting how many impact I have done within this 2 years of lack of job which I wouldn’t have had time to do if I were to be doing a regular or time demanding job at the time. But at the end, I now got job but the happiness, the experience, the contacts etc the volunteersim has given me will never be taking back and I will go back again and do it over and over if I had to.

IT SHAPED MY LIFE AND CAREER, Give me VALUE that could be seen anywhere I go.
Even in my workplace, I still dedicate my free weekends for voluntary activities.
And trust me when I say you will progress fast in life when u give to the society without asking for anything in return.
But make sure you add value and be passionate to any organization you volunteer for. This is just a summary.
I said I should write this down this morning.

Muhammad Idris (tetengi)

Attached is the documenatry of my participation in AI between (2016 -2017).

Credit:
Amnesty International
Austin chinonye
Festus Billion
Obiora Okafor
George
Nebo collins
Purpose
Preye
Margaret
Tosin
Dortun

The Role of Education in Achieving The SDGs

 I was invited by Drivers of Change to talk about the Sustainable Development Goals and the role of Youth and Education in Achieving it.

Here is the summary of the lecture.

It is very pertinent to understand what Sustainable Development is before looking at the goals. Sustainable Development is the development that helps the people living now to meet their needs without compromising the future generations to meet their own needs. E.g. the innovations we create today will enable the future generations to create more innovations and better innovations. If poverty is reduced in a family today, it brings about poverty not affecting the unborn children. While the Sustainable Development Goals are goals created to ensure that our needs are met, without compromising the future generations to meet their own needs. These goals are made up of 17 goals, which implies by 2030 poverty should be reduced as well as inequalities. The goals are sometime called the global goals or agenda 2030. The goals were formulated in September 2015 and was signed by 193 United Nations state which your head of State and mine were part of those who agreed on those goals. The goals are ambitious, a bit complex but then, it brings to awareness things we need to do to ensure sustainable development. It covers for the lapses of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which focuses only on Social Development. The MDGs involve developed countries providing aid to less developed countries. However, the SDGs was created in such a way that each countries should be able to sustain themselves. I think the SDGs is a blessing to many African countries as we are affected by many of these issues which boils down to having public funding targeted towards the SDGs as well as public - private partnership. And, the huge role civil society organizations have to play towards ensuring our planet becomes Sustainable.

You can read more about the goals www.un.org

The Role of Quality Education in achieving these goals

Goal 4 implies that we all should have access to quality education. One of the target of these goals is to ensure Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Which implies that for people to create this transformation, they have to be aware of these goals. Education brings to your awareness what you do not know, so you can make informed decisions to make your society better.

Education for Sustainable Development is education beyond the four walls of the classrooms. Our educational curriculum should reflect sustainable development. If I am learning physics, I should be thinking of how physics can be used to transform the society. If I am studying Geography, I should know how climate change affect my economy.  It also involves the educational sector serving as incubation centre to producing solutions to many of these problems. Apart from developing Literacy and Numeracy skills, we should be thinking of how students can develop Vocational Skills that drives the SDGs and provide solutions to many of our problems. It would boil down to our students developing life skills and being transilient and have the ability to change their community through the knowledge they have gotten.

How can we make this happen? By harnessing the potential in youths. Why? We have a huge stake in the Sustainable Development. We will be the one to live even after 10 years, our children and grandchildren will also live at that time. So, how do we create a better a world for them. The former Secretary General of United Nation Ban Ki Moon said "We are the first generation that has the real chance to end extreme poverty and the last chance to end climate change." We are lucky because the SDGs came in our time and we are the custodian of the SDGs and we have to ensure that we drive it. By learning about it, spreading and teaching it. And creating initiatives that drive these goals through social entrepreneurship, Non Governmental Organizations, Businesses, holding key positions in Government.

So, we shouldn't stop spreading the news and demanding accountability from the Government on developmental issues.

One key things is after the Post SDGs era some of us might get old and it would be hard for us to work in driving it. So the time is now guys.

Young people can drive the SDGs because;

We are innovative: we understand the dynamics in today's world, we are 21st century kids and we can proffer solutions to many of these goals leveraging technology and design thinking.

We are great communicators: we can easily communicate through different means, social media is a powerful tool to drive change. We can mobilize groups and charge them towards the cause of sustainable development.

We have the Network: Young people have access to Network and information. We have the energy to move around and meet people. Young people should be at the forefront sealing deals to bring about sustainable development.

We are energetic: Biologically we are strong, we have the energy. We can do things and move things. We can travel miles to ensure sustainable development is achieved. It's time to use those energy positively towards driving change.

In conclusion, all goals are important and interrelated, No goal is superior to the other. But I believe that education is key to bringing awareness to issues affecting our society. With Education poverty can be reduced. A reports recently released by World Bank shows that Education Mobility is key to achieving economic growth and ensuring positive intergenerational mobility. That's transfer of wealth/education from one generation to another not transfer of poverty. But its quite apparent that some families that are poor since 1960, their children are still poor. They transfer poverty. Circumstances at birth affect them. Their inability to access quality education affect or limit their chance of living a fulfilling life. We still have a long way to go but with our little effort we can drive change. We have to define ourselves beyond the environment/government to ensure sustainable development.

Thank you for having me.

Facilitator: Hammed Kayode Alabi
SDGs Youth Champion.

UN SDGs and YOUTH

The United Nations

The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, as well as promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights.
The United Nations missions are:
1. Maintain International Peace and Security
2. Promote Sustainable Development
3. Protect Human Rights
4. Uphold International Law
5. Deliver Humanitarian Aid

The United Nations membership started with 51 countries in 1945 after the World War but had tremendous growth, in 2011 the members countries in the UN are now 193.
Main organs of the UN are:
General Assembly
Security Council
Secretariat
Economic and Social Council
International Court of Justice

Programmes and Funds
UNCTAD, UNDP, UNEP, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNODC,
UNRWA, UN Women, WFP

Specialized Agencies
FAO, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, ITU, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, World Bank

Other Entities
UNAIDS, UNISDR, UNOPS
For more details explanation about the UN, visit the UN website, www.un.org

What are the SDGs?

As the period for MDGs ended in 2015, the world and our governments needed to continue with the efforts to fully achieve MDGs and build upon them by tackling new challenges. For the last few years, the UN has been discussing what the global priorities should be for the next 15 years (2016 -2030).
In particular, the Rio+20 conference in June 2012 galvanized a process to agree upon the post-2015 global development framework and develop 17 new Goals, or global priorities, which are called SDGs. On 1 January 2016, SDGs of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development officially came into force. Over the next fifteen years, with
these new Goals that universally apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities, and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.


The 17 ambitious goals are 
No poverty
No Hunger
Good Health and Wellbeing
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable Clean Energy
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Reduced Inequalities
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption
Climate Change*
Life Below Water
Life On Land
Peace, Justice and Strong Institution
Partnership for the Goals

The 17 Goals are supported by 169 targets that expand on and define them in clearer terms. Determining whether or not SDGs are achieved is up to the individual, government who sets its own national targets by taking into account the global level of ambition and its own national circumstances.
Visit the Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform website (https://
sustainabledevelopment.un.org) and the Sustainable Development Goal indicators website (http://unstats.un.org/sdgs) for the full list of targets and indicators.

YOUTH and SDGs

Whom do we mean by ‘youth,’ and why are they particularly significant stakeholders for the present and the future?

The UN defines youth as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24, the period of transition from childhood to adulthood, in which individuals gain independence and awareness of interdependence as members of a community. In African context, the age range of youth is between 15 and 35 years as stated in the African Union agenda 2063.
Investing in youth is also an investment in our future. Youth can be a positive force for development when the knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive are given. Likewise, young people can create a dynamic force of political change and social transformation when they are included in decision-making processes. If we fail to realize the potential of youth, the entire society loses out greatly. The young people of today will mature in the next 15 years right alongside SDGs. They are the people who will experience the success or failure of the 2030 Agenda. This is why it is particularly important to engage with youth and empower them in our endeavour for a more sustainable future.

Demography of Youth 
Globally, we are part of the largest generation of youth in human history. Youth account for 16 percent of the world’s population. By 2020, the number of youth is projected to have grown by 7 percent, to nearly. In Nigeria, with over 180 million population about more than 51 million are between the age of 10 to 24 years, 65% of the entire population of Nigeria are youth, same goes for the demography of youth in Africa, reason it is called “a youth continent” but the average leadership age of 75 years old did not reflect this context.

Problems of Youth
Youths are faced with issues of poor access to quality education, unemployment or unpaid, youth live in extreme poverty, teenage pregnancy and major health issues, exploitation and trafficking in the urban cities, no representation in politics and governance. This list is endless, but are the issues captured in the SDGs? In addition, how can youth be a strong significant to solving their own issues. Our aspiration for sustainable development can be understood through five different lenses, or the “5 Ps” - People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace, and Partnership.

Opportunities for Youth in SDGs Advocacy

Youth can provide new energy, creativity, and dynamism to address the myriad of global challenges today. Young leaders have contributed fresh ideas, and many youth start-ups and initiatives today are exhibiting creative entrepreneurial skills in addressing various issues under SDGs. The UN encourages young people to share such ideas to others around the world Fundamental skills provide a solid foundation to young people for further learning throughout their lives. Skills and jobs for youth feature prominently in the 2030 Agenda and are explicitly mentioned in many of the 17 SDGs and their targets, in particular, SDG target 4.4. Investing in human capital development is key to addressing the issues listed above.

UN-Habitat Urban Youth Fund
The United Nations empowers youth by helping them actualize their innovative projects that make our world more sustainable. In particular, the UNHabitat Urban Youth Fund empowers global youth by providing grants and capacity building to selected organizations in developing countries. Visit the website at unhabitat.org and see how you can participate!

Competition for Youth
There are numerous opportunities for young people to participate in competitions that aim to raise awareness on sustainable development and youth issues, such as the Global Youth Video Competition on Climate Change, International Day of Peace Video Competition, Film4Climate Global Competition, or Fly Your Ideas
Competition. Check out more at www.un.org/youthenvoy! UN Environment Programme, youth division: www.unep.org UN-Habitat-Youth : http://unhabitatyouth.org, World’s Largest Lesson, for educational material on SDGs http://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org

Roles of Youth

How can we take part in achieving SDGs? Are there any existing forums or events that we can join regarding the implementation of the Goals, and how can we exchange our information?
Youth are not a homogenous group, but a truly diverse group of individuals. For instance, some youth live in rural areas, while others live in big cities. Or important factors such as the level of education and economic conditions prevailing in a country may differ greatly. Certain social groups such as young women, indigenous youth, and youth with disabilities often deal with distinct and multiple forms of discrimination. It is important for each and every youth to actively participate in the implementation of the Goals by offering their own perspective and playing their own part.

UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth
In 2013, the first Youth Envoy at the UN was appointed. The Youth Envoy’s role is to promote the positive linkage between the UN and young people. In particular, the Envoy works to increase the UN response to youth's needs and stand up for the development needs and rights of young people, as well as providing advice to the representative of the Secretary-General on youth-related matters.

UN Youth Delegate Programme
The UN Youth Delegate Programme was established as another form of youth representation and participation at the UN. Young delegates are included in a country’s official delegation to the General Assembly and various functional Commissions of the ECOSOC. The role of a youth representative varies from country to country, but normally includes providing input to their delegation on issues related to youth and participating in their delegation’s general work by attending meetings and informal negotiations. Both within and beyond the UN system, there are multiple avenues for youth to participate in the global discussion for sustainable development. In fact, the UN has been working hard to bring young people right into the heart of global diplomacy through new ways of consultation and representation.

The UN Major Group for Children and Youth
 Is the official constituency within sustainable development negotiations and processes at the UN for those under 30. Its work include providing online/offline platforms for dialogue, training young people on the practical skills of participation, and coordinating logistics of youth participation. Once you have joined the Major Group, there are lots of ways to get involved: you may want to be an active contributor to policy making, help facilitate a working group, inspire youth activism in your local community, or just read about what’s been going on!

Opportunities as an SDGsACT Volunteer 

Sustainable Development Goals Awareness Campaign Tour is a youth organization passionate about creating awareness on the SDGs, over the last two years we have been able to spread our awareness through various platforms to advocate for the UN SDGs implementation. From Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Kano our voices heard and recently we are expanding the awareness to Anambra, Kwara and Kaduna. We started our SDGs on Campus with the vision the vison to establish a club in all higher institutions in Nigeria that will help the youth in research and knowledge base development for implementation of the SDGs, presently we have our clubs at Lagos State University and University of Lagos.
We believe so much in effective collaboration towards localization and achieving the SDGs, through this strategy we have collaborated with many organizations, individuals and members of the SDGsACT to work towards implementation of the SDGs.
Our mission is to sign up 1 million youth in Nigeria to support and implement the SDGs by 2030. Will you join us to today to make a difference? To Unlearn, Relearn and Learn new skills to develop yourself and give back to the community.

Follow us:
Facebook: Sdgs Act Lagos
Twitter: @sdgsact_lagos
Instagram: @lagossdgsact
 Email: sdgsactlagos@gmail.com
Whatsapp/Call: +2348093198572


By Sheriff Gbadamosi
Coordinator SDGsACT Lagos/
National Program Officer