Lagos, Nigeria, December 8 2023 – Nigeria Youth SDGs registered as Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) in partnership with the European Union Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria and RLabs hosted a virtual event to commemorate the 2023 International Volunteers Day with the theme. “The Power of Collective Action: If Everyone Did.” The event is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of young people and partners to the work of NGYouthSDGs in amplifying the voices of young people and advocating for meaningful youth engagement in policies and programs for youth to lead and thrive.
With less than seven years to the deadline to attain the 2030 Agenda, there are limitless possibilities for sustainable development in Nigeria and across if everyone volunteers for improved access to education, food, good health and well-being, a clean environment, inclusive and peaceful societies and decent work.
“Volunteers are at the heart of the work of NGYouthSDGs from our advisory board, staff, champions, and partners as they contribute to the attainment of our mission as they organize events, conduct research, facilitate workshops and engage communities,” says NGYouthSDGs founder Joshua Alade. “Young people are central to our work as they are not just the leaders of tomorrow but today and they are passionate about creating systemic change that will help Nigeria achieve sustainable development,” he added.
Programs Associate, Ms Boluwatife Ajayi shared the vital role of volunteers in the mission of NGYouthSDGs from the International Youth Day celebration and the recent cohort of the Youth Activators Lab, a programme that identifies young people across Nigeria to lead systemic change in youth policies and sustainable development.
Ms Rafiat Atanda from the European Union Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria highlighted some of the programmes available to young people like the Erasmus Masters Scholarship programme, Naija Talk Villa and soon, there will be a call for new members of the sounding board.
The event had a storytelling session with Mr Mubarak Idris from the European Union Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria and Ms RIanat Abosede from NGYouthSDGs sharing their experiences as volunteers.
The panel session moderated by NGYouthSDGs Communications Associate, Ms Praise Okezie had Ms Farida Yahya, Vice President of Shecluded, Mr Ebenezar Wikina, founder of Policy Shapers and Ms Amaka Nwaokolo, Head of Fate Institute share how volunteering has contributed to their personal and professional development.
The event had a virtual gaming session which was sponsored by RLabs Nigeria and Ms Adenike Bamigbade gave the remark to bring the event to a close.
