The engagements also acted as starting points for a process to enable CSOs to advocate for the enactment of a national policy framework on whistleblower protection which would strengthen the fight against corruption.

“I have always advocated for State-level SDGs-based ‘Marshall Plans’ to implement the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to achieve broad-based suatainable and inclusive economic growth,” he stated during his address to the Executive Council of Kaduna State Government.

Dumoma Mohammed had a happy life in Mafa with his wife and three children. He earned a good wage and felt safe in his community. His hearing impairment was not an impediment to his ability to work. Without knowing sign language, his friends and neighbours were used to communicating through hand gestures and writing.

The 2030 Agenda commits all countries and stakeholders to work together to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental protection while ‘leaving no one behind’. The scale and ambition of this new universal agenda calls for an integrated approach to sustainable development and collective action at all levels.

After successfully meeting the target for the Management Plan for phasing out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), Nigeria will commence the second phase. During the first phase, Nigeria had committed to the completion of the 2013 consumption freeze and 2015 10% reduction target.

With funding from the Government of Japan, UNDP and its implementing partners continues to provide support to people affected by the ongoing military insurgency in North East region of Nigeria. This support is being channeled through two projects; one focusing on Livelihood and Social Cohesion, while the other on De-radicalization, Counter-Terrorism and Migration.

"I will lead the UN system in Nigeria to support implement the Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations will partner and support the Government in mainstreaming the SDGs into national, sub-national, and local plans for development; and subsequently into budget allocations."

Over 300 participants attended the annual event, co-organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB), UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on the theme, “Feed Africa: Towards Agro-Allied Industrialization for Inclusive Growth.”

Three main factors account for African agriculture’s under-performance and low productivity. A large proportion of Africa’s agriculture depends on rain. Only 6 percent of the total cultivated area in Africa is equipped for irrigation, compared to 46 percent in South Asia and 56 percent in East Asia.[1] Accelerated irrigation has the potential to improve land-use efficiency and boost agricultural productivity by as much as 50%.

According to a key finding in UNDP’s 2016 Africa Human Development Report (AfHDR) —Accelerating Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Africa — gender inequality costs sub-Saharan Africa about US$95 billion a year and hampers the continent’s efforts for inclusive human development and economic growth.

"Violent extremism affects us all cutting across national borders. It pushes the already vulnerable beyond their ability to cope and survive. Our latest National Human Development Report 2016 already highlights the fact that where there is insecurity, development suffers, poverty thrives affecting women and children the worst."

We would like to commend the Federal Government of Nigeria and most importantly the pioneering efforts from Cross River State, on the achievements attained so far since the REDD+ Programme started in Nigeria in 2012.

Issues of livelihood support and social cohesion are critical to recovery and stabilization in the North-East. As you may be aware, over 2 million people have been internally displaced and critical infrastructure like schools, hospitals, security posts, roads, water and electricity supply facilities have been destroyed.

In an effort to enhance operational efficiency in the delivery of services within the country’s port sector, Nigeria has launched harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of all Agencies and Operators at the country’s Seaports.