By Seyifunmi Adebote:
107 students of the The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) have made commitments to play very active roles in contributing to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Imo State.
They made this commitment during an SDGs4Universities workshop, organized by the International Climate Change Development Initiative on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 at the Forestry and Wildlife Technology Auditorium, FUTO.
Promise Uzowuihe, a 300-level student of Prosthetics and Orthotics department said, “It is quite disheartening to know that there are only a few orthopaedic hospitals in Nigeria, using the targets under goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), I will form a group of like-minds that can interface with the government to call them to account on the basis of health care and further assist them with partnership models that will increase access to orthopaedic facilities and health care for people in Imo State.”
Another student, Ihekaire Cynthia from the Department of Agricultural Economics identified indiscrimination against women in her community as a problem. “I believe that by organizing educational programs that stress the important roles and possible contributions of women in our society, the self-esteem of women and young girls will be built. The targets under goal 10 (Gender Inequality) will serve as a guide for me to do this effectively.” Cynthia said.
The Project Coordinator, Seyifunmi Adebote commended the students for sharing their innovative ideas, “Understanding that you have an important role in achieving the SDGs is the first step to making a difference in your community. I want to encourage you all to share these ideas with your friends and family too. If you need support in carrying out these plans, be free to reach out to the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals.”
The SDGs4Universities is a project by the International Climate Change Development Initiative targeted at actively engaging tertiary institutions to incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework into their academic calendar with the aim of aiding people-driven development.
