The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs) Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has expressed desire to work with the private sector to enhance the successful implementation of SDGs in Nigeria because they are solution driven in their approach to development.
The SSAP made this known when she received Head of Sustainability in “Larfarge Holcim Company” Mrs. Temitope Oguntokun, who paid her a courtesy visit in her office. She commended the company for bridging the gaps in doing business in Nigeria thereby promoting best practices; adding that the company’s effort in the training of youths to be self employed and employers of labour is equally commendable.
She pointed out that, young graduates can key into the company’s activities since government alone cannot provide employment to the teeming youth due to scarce resources. She noted that SDGs is all about improving the lives of the people she urged the private sector to support government effort in reducing unemployment, which in turn will reduce social vices within the society.
Earlier the leader of the delegation stated their intention to partner with OSSAP-SDGs and contribute their quota to Nigerian economy. She intimated that the company is working towards implementing some SDGs goals 4, 6, 9 and 13 amongst others. She said that the company has trained over 5,000 artisans in Nigeria in the area of sustainable construction, whereas, in the area of community services, they are involved in education, health and access to water for some communities.
Concluding, she said that, given the opportunity to partner with OSSAP-SDGs, a lot could be achieved in some specific goals of SDGs. She informed that, the company is presently operating in 19 countries and in 10 states of Nigeria producing cement and building strong structures based on international specifications.
