In 2015, the United Nations came up with the Sustainable Development Goals which is a collection of 17 global goals for the year 2030. The SDGs are part of Resolution 70/1 of the UN General Assembly. An initiative set to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They are set to address problems faced by countries such as poverty, inequality, climate, environment and many more across the globe for a better humanity.
Here are the proposed goals:
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well-being
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible production and consumption
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice and strong institutions
- Partnerships for the goals.
In light of recent events surrounding a little Nigerian girl called Success that went viral few weeks ago, we will be dwelling on SDG 4; Quality Education. In the video, Success is seen clearly displayed her annoyance about being sent away from school for not paying her school fees. She also said she’d rather be flogged than denied education.
This video caught the attention of a number of Nigerian celebrities and top officials. As some of you know, Success would no longer face this as a Nigerian celebrity has offered to sponsor her education till she is a graduate!
Now, Success is just one out of many school children that undergo such treatment in Africa, especially in a country like Nigeria, which has the highest population of out-of-school children. With the Nigerian government trying to curb this mess by soon declaring it a criminal offense for parents who are unwilling to send their children to school, we can only hope that cases like Success’s would never repeat itself in any part of the world.
Education, quality education is a fundamental human right anywhere in the world and is indispensable for the achievement of sustainable development. Education should be able to provide a skilled workforce, capacity building, indirect impact on job creation, youth empowerment amongst other benefits.
Which of these goals are you working on to ensure a better humanity?
