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ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: ROLE OF THE TIG(takingitglobal) YOUTHS
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which lays emphasis on global development is a welcome development because it came at a time when poverty and under-development has become the bane of many especially in the under-developed countries even in the midst of plenty.
What Are The MDGs?
In the year 2000 a meeting called “The Millennium Summit was held in New York and 189 countries attended. Here the participants inquired into what can be done to save man, and they arrived at the eight goals, which were set to be actualized between the year 2000 and 2015. The goals include
ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER
ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION
PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN
REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY
IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH
COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES
ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT
These goals critically encompasses the numerous ethical, ecological and socio economic problems inherent in the globe . It is at this juncture that one ponders over the issue of development in its real sense. Development in the literary sense when applied to a nation reflects the numerous scientific and infrastructural advancements there in. Though these are equally forms of development, it is logical that development in a nation must begin from the humans there in because it is based on the number of men of ideas in a nation that the nation can be termed as developed. It is through the ideas of the developed individual that a nation acquires a sustainable social and infrastructural development.
This brings up the issue of sustainable development. Sustainable development means the enduring progressive change in the life of people that will not compromise the future. This means that development should not be short-lived, rather it should make provisions to accommodate the future. Boosting economic growth and empowering people calls for a human right approach to development planning that places people at the centre of development efforts. The MDGs no doubt are developmental goals aimed at the individual and as stated above this is the crux of sustainable development in any nation.
In support of this, some governments in Africa (eg Nigeria) under the social charter (a contract between government and the masses where government recognizes problems of the masses and provides amenities to ameliorate the problems). Identifies the problems of the masses which include bad government, income distribution, poverty, illiteracy, environmental degradation, poor health conditions HIV/AIDS, housing, unemployment, gender discrimination corruption, social conflict, civil unrest, welfare of children, insecurity among others. If these targets which have been clearly spelled out are properly pursued and implemented, the rate of poverty in the underdeveloped nations will be greatly reduced. The areas of food, security, wealth creation and education are very important to any nations development and are also important agendas which are in consonance with the goals and targets of the millennium development goals.
A critical view at the above problems reflects all the MDGs while the government are expected to take the bull by the horn if they are actually determined to tackle these through value re-orientation, poverty reduction, wealth creation, employment generation and also changing the way government does its work, as these will proffer practical and result orientated solutions to the problems of the populace.
African leaders are known with formulating good policies on paper which they fail to achieve because of ineffective implementation and corruption. Implementing the MDGs calls for commitment, discipline and a strong will to stay the course of reforms. To this effect, I expect the TIG youths to reach the grassroots with the MDGs message of sustainable development and the essence of self help projects.
I crave the indulgence of all youths in the TIG project to vigorously embark on this enormous task and carry it out vigorously by educating people especially the youths on the issue of sustainable development among other things. Although the task will not be an easy one, but with diligence and commitment we will excel. I therefore implore all to brace up to the challenges ahead of them in their various areas in this onerous task of achieving sustainable development in the world.
Let’s not only think of what our country should do for us, rather let’s think of what we can do for our various nations. Let us join hands to bake our national cake instead of seeking ways of sharing it, and posterity will forever commend our strong will.
WRITTEN BY:
OKOROCHA, PRINCE OBINNA
OKWU UMUOMA NEKEDE
OWERRI WEST L.G.A
IMO STATE NIGERIA WEST AFRICA
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okorocha prince obinna
i am agradute of philosophy and a one time volunteer member of the (National Youth Service Corps)NYSC/MDGs advocasy project in my country (2006-2007). During this time i established a women / youth skill acquisition training centre where 35 women learnt the skills of sewing, baking, tye/dye, beadmaking. This was aimed at empowering them skillfully., and the project earned me an award as the best NYSC/MDGs volunteer member in Borno state Nigeria 2006/2007. Right now am in the labour market but i have decided to positively touch the lives of those around me especially the youths. My areas of concentration are ethical/ moral re-orientation of the young which will be marched up with entrepreneurial development programmes.
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