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The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres, has stressed the need for global support for youth-led solutions as a strategy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Guterres said that such support would also promote youth development and empowerment for peace and economic growth.
Guterres spoke at an event organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria, in collaboration with Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (S.M.I.L.E.).
The event was held in observance of the International Youth Day (IYD) 2025, on Saturday, August 9, in Lagos.
The event had the theme: “Youth Localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.
Guterres was represented by Dr Oluseyi Soremekun, the National Information Officer at the UN Information Centre, Abuja.
According to Guterres, young people are bold innovators, resilient and essential partners in achieving the SDGs.
Guterres said that youth-led solutions must be supported for peace and sustainability.
He said the UN had recognised the impact of the younger generation on economic growth and development.
“We have come to the recognition that when young people lead, the society thrives,” he said.
He said the youth must be celebrated and supported to achieve the aims of the SGDs.
According to him, IYD is a declaration by the UN General Assembly and is celebrated annually on Aug. 12.
“We have the responsibility to promote it, to amplify the message of the IYD with our partner, S.M.I.L.E., and we have been doing it for over 10 years,” he said.
He also charged youths not to be involved in things that would affect Nigeria’s peace and unity.
“We will not have SDGs without young people driving it.
“Youths must get involved in local actions and support peace processes anywhere they find themselves,” he said.
He urged the youth to avoid being used to destroy the peace of the country.
The President of S.M.I.L.E., Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, said that the initiative was aimed to play a strategic role in the quest for building the next generation of leaders in Nigeria.
Bamgbose-Martins said that S.M.I.L.E. organised programmes to meet leadership needs of the youth.
She said that mentoring and leadership empowerment remained the most powerful tools to positively impact the next generation of leaders.
The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on SDGs, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, commended the UN and S.M.I.L.E. for the partnership aimed at creating the next generation of leaders.
Finnih was represented at the event by her Technical Special Assistant, Mr. Oluwasegun Ojo.
She urged the youth to be part of the SDGs achievement by contributing their quotas for economic growth and development.
She said the Lagos State Government would remain committed to youth empowerment and development in line with the SDGs mandate.
Finnih urged the youth to ensure proper waste disposal by ensuring sorting of wastes for environmental sustainability.
Mr. Tunde Mabawonku, the Executive Director, Retail and Digital Banking, Wema Bank Plc., one of the partners, commended the UN and S.M.I.L.E. for creating a platform for youth empowerment to commemorate IYD.
Mabawonku noted that S.M.I.L.E. had been involved in many “exciting things” through its initiatives.
He charged the youth to be part of the “phenomenal enterprise”.
He added that the youth must revolve in mindset, skills and character to remain relevant.
During a panel session, Mr. Aduragbemi Fasakin, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advic Farms, called on the youth to embrace agriculture for food security.
Fasakin spoke on the topic: “Showcasing Innovators and Youth-led Solutions to Accelerate the SDGs”.
He said that people would need to move from agriculture to agribusiness for food security.
“Young people need to come onboard early enough.
“Farming has moved beyond soil to soiless agriculture; it is the new gold in Nigeria,” he said.
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
