Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said his administration will continue to support activities and programmes aimed at raising the capacity of women to fight poverty and diseases that may limit their ability towards attaining their potential.
Sanwo-Olu said his government remained committed to creating local and global partnerships that would boost his administration’s efforts in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) critical to improving residents’ well-being and human capital index.
The governor gave the assurance in his short remark when he received the SDG ball ahead of Global Goals World Cup – a soccer fiesta for women and adolescents.
Sanwo-Olu became the first political leader in West Africa to receive the Global Goals ball, which officially kicks off the first edition of the fiesta in Lagos.
The event was witnessed by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on SDG, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Special Adviser to the Governor on SDG, Mrs. Sholape Hammond; her counterpart in Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.
Sanwo-Olu said he had high hope on the future of women in Lagos, saying his government had set a record of championing equality and empowerment for women in the state to attain their potential.
Mrs. Sholape Hammond said Lagos Government took women development seriously, adding that the current administration had strategically positioned women to drive its programmes initiated to achieve global development agenda.
She said: “This event is a great stride towards achieving the 17 Global Development Goals which is aimed at eradicating poverty, encourage equality and tackle environmental challenges.
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“Today’s occasion is another testament to the commitment of Governor Sanwo-Olu to deliver all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as contained in Untied Nation Development Agenda.”
Hammond said the event would feature about 32 teams from different parts of Lagos, comprising 256 players and 2,000 supporters.
The competition, she said, would be played for four weekends and would draw participants’ attention to 17 Goals Actions.
The winning team would be representing Nigeria at the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly.
“Lagos State is making effort to achieve all the Goals and no creative engagement will not be spared. We are assuring Lagosians that the task is enormous but they are surmountable,” Hammond said.
Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire called for improved partnerships between the government and civil society organisations to create a safe environment for humans and organisms.
She said sport remained a powerful tool to increase youth engagement in SDGs, stressing that job creation and prosperity must be the focus of the effort.
