Welcome to the United Nations
The Catholic intellectual Romano Guardini must have had the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in view when he opined that “the only measure for properly evaluating an age is to ask to what extent it fosters the development and attainment of a full and authentically meaningful human existence, in accordance with the peculiar character and the capacities of that age.” Transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the SDGs must generate new attitudes that ensure that new and effective structures emerge that ensure no one is left behind. The development of Africa is among the most pressing issues of our time that requires an SDG focus. For President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, the achievement of the SDGs and African Union’s Agenda 2063 are “sacred duties.”
Africa is a continent that still has poverty, but the continent has a wealth of has youth who are determined to turn their fortunes with the help of leadership that is committed to peace, good governance, infrastructure development and no corruption. To leave no one behind as the journey continues is imperative. However, despite the best efforts on the continent, Africa is witnessing development emergencies that require accelerated urgent action.
The Torchbearers Initiative aims to unite and mobilize youth for the SDGs by implementing local projects that aim at change. It amplifies their voices and triggers a movement in local actions for prosperity through volunteer actions. This initiative brings youth with character and capacity together to discuss issues and take action. As part of its activities, we raise funds to raise awareness and tackle local issues. Marking International Youth Day 2015, youth in Umuahia, Nigeria raised funds on August 12 to help restart a business for an indigent woman with two children, whose business sustained her family and helped finance the education of her children. With support from the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia as well as the Sahara Foundation with other partners, the Torchbearers reached out to her to improve her life. She was genuinely surprised by our gesture.
We found that she had endured social exclusion; mistreatment and violence due to poverty and without the ability to defend her rights. But she kept struggling and believing daily in defending and protecting her family and her children’s education.
We put our torch-light on local issues that we think need addressing to achieve the SDGs under youth leadership, make contributions towards finding solutions as well as recommendations to government. We also plan on aiding repairs for some of Nigeria’s road infrastructure with the Federal Roads Agency’s support. A group of committed youth can change things and we must contribute to the future we want. Before we receive help, however, we believe we must have something to give and partnership is our key to success.
Peace is founded not only on respect for human rights, but also on respect for the rights of peoples. It is vital that government leaders and stakeholders take heed and broaden their horizons, listen to youth and work to ensure that all youth have dignified work, education and healthcare.
In its current state, the project is new and is still a work in progress. We are currently implementing a project to sell solar lamps and finance it with the profit; however, the financial resources are not yet sustainable and to improve and strengthen our plan, we aim to partner with more relevant stakeholders to mobilize domestic resources for it. Our aim is to do well for sustainable development by not only making noise and gaining visibility but by becoming the change we want. We aim to inspire the mindset that people must be helped to become the artisans of their destiny.
In becoming torch-bearers of the SDGs in Nigeria, we are thinking of the homeless, the unemployed youth, the addicted, the marginalized women, the elderly who are increasingly isolated and abandoned and many others left behind. We aim to ensure that they are included.
Photo: Development Generation Africa International (DGAi)