SDGs: FG to Partner NBA, Donors on Justice, Inclusive Society

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has given strong assurance of a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other development partners in a bid to attain the relevant goals in the SDGs framework.

The presidential aide disclosed this at a meeting of the NBA with development partners held in Abuja recently, according to a press release issued by the media strategist for the Office of the SSAP-SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs), Mr. Desmond Utomwen.

According to the SSAP-SDGs, the strategic partnership would help accelerate efforts towards the attainment of Goals 10, 16 and 17, which deal on issues of access to justice, peace, inequalities, inclusive society and partnership for sustainable development.

“With, inequality still prevalent and large disparities apparent in access to health, legal, education services and other assets, efforts by stakeholders must be upped and sustained towards lifting people out of poverty and protecting the most vulnerable in the society. To reduce inequality, policies should be universal in principle paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalised populations”, Orelope-Adefulire stated.

Also speaking at the event, the President of the NBA, A.B Mahmoud said the partnership would ensure that the association bequeaths to the nation a reformed and legal system and a society, where justice and equity prevails.

The meeting, which also reviewed public interest programmes of the association in line with its strategic plan that was recently adopted, had in attendance representatives from various development organisations and donor agencies.

Meanwhile, the presidential aide has refuted an allegation that she is nursing an aspiration to become a senator come 2019. The refuttal was contained in another release issued yesterday by Utomwen and titled, ‘Reports of Orelope-Adefulire’s Senatorial Ambition, Unfounded’.