Lawmakers Commit To Nigeria’s Attainment Of SDGs, Conduct Of Census

Ahead of the 2030 date for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the House of Representatives has vowed to ensure Nigeria’s speedy attainment of the goals.

The SDGs, also known as Global Goals, build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aim to go further to end all forms of poverty.

The chairman, House Committee on SDGs, Hon Wale Raji, reiterated the commitment of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly to the realisation of these global goals at the inaugural meeting of the panel in Abuja.

Raji said SDGs was a strategic committee of the House with a focus on all the development of Nigeria, stressing that no country can be said to be developed without achieving the goals.

The lawmaker however observed that; “as at the last report, Nigeria is still far behind and all goals must be prioritised.”

He said the committee will use all legislative interventions to achieve the goals as well as query how much is allocated to achieve the SDGs in the budget.

The chairman added that the committee will equally seek clarifications on how the states are performing in the attainment of SDGs.

On the other hand, the House Committee on Population said it will work with relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth conduct of census in the country.

The committee’s chairman, Hon Jimi Odimayo, who stated this at the inaugural meeting of the panel, said it was mandated to ensure comprehensive and effective national policy on the nation’s population statistics and demographic data.

Odimayo said developing strategies for the implementation of the aforesaid policies, including their financing from local and foreign sources is also part of its mandate.

“As we all know that the Federal Government of Nigeria, Nigerians and the whole world are looking up to this Committee to deliver maximally on the forthcoming census.

“The Committee will therefore earnestly engage relevant stakeholders to ensure effective conduct of the census,” he said.