The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, has urged Nigerians to mark the country’s 66th Independence anniversary with renewed commitment to unity, inclusive growth and sustainable national development.
According to a statement released by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen, the Presidential Aide described the anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate Nigeria’s resilience, honour its founding fathers and strengthen collective efforts towards a prosperous and equitable nation.
She emphasised that the ideals of independence must translate into access to quality education, affordable healthcare, decent employment, basic infrastructure and opportunities for citizens to improve their lives.
These aspirations, she noted, align with the Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a framework for tackling poverty, reducing inequality, empowering women and young people, and building peaceful communities.
The SSAP-SDGs stressed that national progress must be measured by improvements in citizens’ wellbeing, particularly among vulnerable households and underserved communities. She identified investments in schools, healthcare, clean water and productive livelihoods as essential to achieving meaningful development outcomes.
Orelope-Adefulire highlighted women’s economic empowerment as a driver of household wellbeing and inclusive growth, calling for expanded access to skills, enterprise opportunities and productive resources. She also advocated greater investment in young Nigerians through education, practical training and opportunities to apply their creativity and enterprise.
With the 2030 SDGs deadline approaching, she urged governments at all levels to accelerate implementation through coordinated planning, targeted investment and stronger accountability.
She called for closer collaboration among public institutions, businesses, civil society, development partners and communities to mobilise resources and improve service delivery. Reliable data, she added, must guide interventions and help measure their impact.
Orelope-Adefulire reaffirmed her Office’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and advancing the principle of leaving no one behind.
Congratulating Nigerians, she urged citizens to promote peaceful coexistence and contribute to community development, expressing confidence that unity and purposeful leadership would strengthen the country’s journey towards lasting prosperity.
