Grassroots Demand For Nigeria In Post-2015 Development Agenda

By Olumide Idowu, @OlumideIdowu

Government leaders are in the middle of an important exercise focused on updating the world’s development agenda. For the last 14 years, government leaders and NGOs have rallied around the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – a set of eight international development goals that were established during the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000.

The post-2015 development agenda is an initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General aimed at accelerating the MDG progress. Post-2015 agenda will contribute to bringing about change of attitude in all sectors and society for the interest of the mass of people around the world.

Where is Nigeria in Post-2015 presently?

The Strategy is equally linked with Nigeria’s medium and long term vision 2020 goals aimed at enabling Nigeria join the league of the top 20 economies of the world by 2020. What is more, the manifest failure of the government in the last 10 years to address the structural causes of inequality and poverty across the states has also been a major cause of concern. The  federal government document contains four strategic imperatives for achieving the MDGs: Improving governance and accountability environment; Strengthening coordination and cooperation among the three arms of government; mobilizing and committing all communities and key stakeholders to the MDGs; and ensuring effective mainstreaming of MDGs into overall national and sub- national development visions and plans, yet Nigeria is still struggling to deal with the complex issues of women’s political, social and economic empowerment and gender equality, livelihoods, decent work and social protection.

Against this backdrop, there is an urgent need for government leaders to put in place a renewed vigor to drive the process with the United Nations system and its institutions with a view to achieving some level of sustainable development. Furthermore, the current debate on the global development architecture and lessons learnt should been seen as wakeup call to reflect on the challenges particularly from the point of view of the man on the street.

Another key priority to note is consensus building around the key themes and strategies for the post 2015 agenda. The new agenda should be rooted in the principle of human rights and social justice. The government must commit to just, responsive, inclusive, transparent and accountable governance that includes independence of the judiciary and access to justice for all, as well as participatory and accountable conflict resolution mechanism that promote peoples development. Right to basic and fundamental entitlements such as water, sanitation, transport, communication and information should also be at the center of the post 2015 discourse. We must move away from speech making and sloganeering that are inimical to national prosperity.

Nigeria is a country of grace and favour. But we need our leaders to commit to developmental issues to make our country a better place for all. I am going to be ending this short note with a tweet-list to share if you care about the wellbeing of our great country Nigeria.

1. In 15 years’ time, what should #Nigeria look like? #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
2. By 2030, where would #Nigeria be? #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
3. By 2030, I want a #Nigeria with 100% #RenewableEnergy! #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
4. This year in #Nigeria, I want #ACTION on #GenderEquality! #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
5. This year in #Nigeria, I want #ACTION on #PovertyEradication #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
6. This year in #Nigeria, I want #ACTION on #ClimateChange #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
7. I want #ACTION on #Peace & #Justice to Reign! in #Nigeria #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
8. This year in #Nigeria, I want #ACTION on #FoodSecurity #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
9. I am the #Future…. I am #Nigeria! #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
10. Improving governance & accountability environment. #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
11. Strengthening coordination & cooperation among the three arms of government. #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
12. Mobilizing & committing all communities & key stakeholders to the MDGs #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
13. Ensuring effective mainstreaming of MDGs into overall national & sub-national development visions & plans #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
14. Social & economic empowerment & gender equality #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
15. Livelihoods, decent work & social protection #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
16. Join the campaign today and let’s call for Justices in all sector of our government. #Action2015Nigeria @action2015
17. I join other organization in #Nigeria to call for #Action2015Nigeria @action2015

Organizations like Climate Wednesday, Nigeria Youth Climate Coalition, BudgITNG, Climate and Sustainable Development Network Nigeria, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change, and other organizations passionate about post 2015 development agenda are in support of a sustainable future for Nigeria.

Finally, the post 2015 development agenda discourse therefore, offers a refreshing opportunity for the government and Nigerians to rethink and renew efforts with regard to our national development goals and aspirations.