Members of staff of Osun State University recently joined other stakeholders on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the 10th annual sustainable development summit (ISDS) which held at the University of Ibadan from 19th to 21st August, 2019.
The summit which was organized by Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV) with the theme “Building and Sustaining Strategic Partnerships for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals” witnessed participants from academia, research institutes, civil society organizations and not-for-profit organizations from over eight countries including the Netherlands, USA, Italy, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria.
Osun State University participated with over 10 presentations by staff members on topical issues including aquatic Biodiversity Challenges and the Needs for Strategic Conversation; Stakeholders Partnership and Strategic Counselling Windows for Quality Education and Enhanced Productivity; Increasing Anthropogenic Activities and Coastal Water Quality, Inclusive Development Planning for Poverty Reduction; Heavy Metal from Anthropogenic Effect on Fish Abundance and Biodiversity; Public-Private Partnerships for Entrepreneurial Education and Innovation in Tertiary Institutions for Sustainable Development; and ICT for Quality Learning in Schools and Impactful Positive Change for Sustainable Development.
The Vice Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Labode Popoola who attended the summit as the pioneer Director of CESDEV and the Director of a co-organizer of the event, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN) addressed the participants and emphasized more on the need for more partnerships and collaborations among all stakeholders at all levels. While he was reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Index and Dashboard, a key data measurement on the performances of countries reiterated the grey areas where research and strategic developmental attention are required, specifically, on poverty reduction – Goal 1, quality education – Goal 4, human health and wellbeing – Goal 3, decent work and innovation – Goal 8, clean and affordable energy – Goal 7 and peaceful co-existence and justice – Goals 16. He however noted that all the goals are important as they are interconnected, therefore, addressing any one means it's important in achieving others.
The participation of Osun State University delegates at the events strengthened further the collaboration between the two universities, the Center and UN-SDSN while new partnerships were built between the newly launched Osun State University Global Affairs on Sustainable Development Institute (GASDI) and other development bodies including the Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development in Nigeria (CSCSD), the Development Practice Academy (DEPRA), Development Practitioner's Network (DPNet) and Development Policy Centre (DAVRI).
The principal delegates from Osun State University include the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Labode Popoola; Director of the Directorate of Inter-campus and Public Affairs, Prof. Anthony Kola-Olusanya; Ag. Director of the Global Affairs on Sustainable Development Institute, Dr. John Agbonifo; Dr. Mutahir Abanikannda, Dr. Luqman Abidoye, Dr. Yakubu, Dr. Munir Wahab, Dr. Kenneth Irueh and Mr. Opeyemi Adebisi.