By Our Reporter
Nigeria is committed to achieving the 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, assured on Monday in Abuja. Adamu made the commitment in his address at the 2016 Commonwealth Day Celebration.
The SDG is an expansion on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), agreed by governments in 2001 that expired in 2015. The 16-point goal is a global agreement aimde at transforming the world by 2030.
The minister said that as a member of the Commonwealth, Nigeria was determined to adding value to its citizens through the provision of quality education at all levels.
“We are committed to implementing and achieving the 16 SDGs, especially SDG 4 and its 10 strategic targets which have direct bearing on the education of the child and vulnerable including persons with special needs.
“We are committed to creating a safe environment for teaching and learning throughout the entire education landscape-formal and non-formal, public and private, from pre-school up to tertiary level.
“Nigeria is committed to pursuing and achieving the six important goals of Education for All (EFA). “The Universal Basic Education(UBE) Act, 2004 emphasises and stipulates compulsory education for all Nigerian children of school age, irrespective of their differences and diverse needs,’’ he said.
Adamu said that the theme of the 2016 celebration: “An Inclusive Commonwealth’’, was apt and underscored the values of tolerance, respect and understanding among committee of nations.
Earlier in her welcome address, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said the Commonwealth Charter had set out 16 core values and principles which had been defined at different stages.
She said the charter re-affirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to democracy, human right, peace and security.
Source: Vanguard
