By Ikenna Nwokedi 

The Centre for Sustainable Development, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka in collaboration with United Nations in Nigeria on Thursday, 9th May 2024 held a Conclave on Sustainable Development. The Conclave with the theme, "Resilient Futures, Thriving Communities: Focusing on Well-being through Sustainable Strategies," was held at the ASUU Secretariat Building UNIZIK.

In his opening remarks, Chairperson of the occasion and Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDG, Her Excellency, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire stated that the event is a unique opportunity to share thoughts and foster partnership towards achieving SDG project. Orelope-Adefulire who was represented by Dr. Ify Nnamchi Ukaegbu stated that the converge is an agenda for better health and wellbeing of Nigeria in the implementation of the 17 goals of the SDGs.

She highlighted that Nigeria is blighted with challenges such as insecurity, organized crime, corruption and high rate of poverty while stressing that for Nigeria to achieve SDG, expertise and resources of all critical stakeholders is needed to make the SDG goals realizable.

Declaring the event open during his address, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone stated that Sustainable Development (SD) is high on the agenda of particularly industrialized nations driven by the enduring efforts of the United Nations. The VC who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu averred that in response to the global awareness on the imperative for SD, the University instituted its Centre for Sustainable Development to contribute its quota to national and international efforts in this direction.

In her address, the Host and Director, Centre for Sustainable Development UNIZIK, Prof. Echendu Dolly Adinma opined that Sustainable Development refers to the use of today's resources in a manner that does not compromise the use of these resources by future generations. The scholar informed that the 2024 year marks the beginning of the second lap in the implementation of the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development anchored on the 17 interconnected SDGs.

The Director also informed that the core mission of the centre is providing a trans-disciplinary platform for the University to engage in issues of sustainable development via responding to the growing demand for education, research and innovation in sustainability, and to work alongside with Government, business and other interested stakeholders to maximize the commercial and epistemological impact of sustainability research and knowledge transfer activities generated by the University.
 
In his remarks, the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen represented by Hon. Prof. Paul Nnamchi informed that the theme of the Conclave aligned with constitutional act of convergence on security and welfare of the masses being the primary purpose for Governance. He informed that SD should be a concerted effort for all and sundry towards societal growth and development of the nation.

Others who made their remarks were the Director General of State Security Service Nigeria, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi represented by Dr. Peter Afunanya and Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun represented by the AIG of Zone 13, Godwin Aghaulor.

In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Conclave Planning Committee and Deputy Director for Sustainable Development UNIZIK, Asso. Prof. Tochukwu Oguegbe thanked the dignitaries who graced the occasion while also eulogizing the panelists for their thoughtful insights and advocacies. The University Don affirmed that the Centre is poised in ensuring that the SDG goals is achieved through education, research and community service.

Highpoints of the occasion was panel discussions on topical issues bordering on Sustainable Development with the Deputy Managing Director, Zenith Bank PLC, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji represented by Mrs Nkiru Kingsley Osualor who discussed on the topic, 'Responsive Investment and Financial Management for Sustainable Development.'

Other discussants were the CEO Katchy Group of Companies, Dr. Ikechi Isa; Geriatric Nurse Practitioner based in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania USA, Lady Clem Okorji; Consultant Cardiologist at UNTH Enugu State, Dr. Nneka Udorah and Anambra State Director of Security, Adesina Bolarinwa.

There was session for questions and answers, award presentations to Distinguished personalities who have promoted the course for the achieving SDG goals.