Insecurity and inflation, among other hurdles, may delay Nigeria’s progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).
The Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, expressed this concern in Abuja during the 7th Edition of the International Conference on Love and Tolerance in Nigeria.
The conference, themed ‘Harmony through Compassion: Embracing Diversity in Pursuit of Peace’, highlighted the potential challenges Nigeria faces in fulfilling its SDG commitments.
According to him, the world is currently facing a plethora of security and developmental challenges, ranging from socio-economic downturn to widening poverty chasms caused by inflation, as well as deep socio-political and ethno-religious polarisations, among others.
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“The activities of corrupt political leaders in promoting nepotism, tribalism, marginalisation, inequality, and lack of inclusion in the distribution of the commonwealth have further worsened the state of attaining the SDGs.
“In other words, the resourcefulness and galvanising power of diversity has not been fully utilised as divergent opinions, values, and political linings have oftentimes been exploited for selfish gain as well as serve as triggers of bigotry, inter-group cleavages, instability, and underdevelopment.
“This is a potent reminder of the enormity of the task before us as stakeholders although the SDGs have not been a complete failure, it will be difficult to reach their targets in 2030 at the present pace,” he said.
The director-general also called for the commitment of all stakeholders to the effective management of the economic crisis and diversity in the country for peaceful coexistence, stability, and development.
NAN
