International DJ and producer Florence ‘Cuppy’ Otedola is among notable young Nigerian development enthusiasts leading the Lagos SDGs Youth Alliance network. This was announced early this week by the Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment as part of her commitment towards mobilising opportunities to advance and scale up innovative solutions in the attainment of SDGs across Lagos State.
Cuppy who is the founder of Cuppy Foundation, an NGO established to tackle issues surrounding child protection and education for girls and persons with disabilities (minorities) is a passionate Nigerian who loves giving back to the society and contributing to the resilience of communities.
The artiste who is very passionate about education and youth development has spearheaded several initiatives such as ‘Cuppy Takes Africa’ tour in 2015 in partnership with Guarantee Trust Bank and the Dangote Foundation. She has also personally paid for several students to go to university in Nigeria and worked with various organizations such as the Global Citizen, Royal Commonwealth Society, and more recently the “Save The Children” Initiative in which she raised over $13m.
The Lagos Youth Alliance which is a strategic platform established for young people to connect, dialogue, collaborate and consolidate efforts on sustainable development in Lagos State is to be championed by young and outstanding developer crusaders who over the years have inspired social change in Lagos and Nigeria.
While appraising the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond remarked that as a State known for putting young people at the fulcrum of change and development, the initiative is ambitiously prioritising youth-led movement that is inclusive, responsive, transparent and sustainable.
According to her, young people have unique insights and perspectives that can drive more effective policy towards ensuring that government commitments to SDGs are fulfilled.
‘’Governor Sanwo-Olu is very proud of the increasing scale of ambitious youth-led advocacy that are providing sustainable solutions to emerging challenges in the state. This administration is passionate about engaging the youth in developing inclusive, transparent, collaborative and responsive mechanisms for the SDGs’’, she commented.
Also speaking on the initiative and the commitment of Governor Sanwo-Olu in stimulating the passion of Lagos youths around development and good governance, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, revealed that other inspiring youths who have driven many of the high impact social change in recent years include the versatile Nollywood Actress, Jumoke Oyetola; Doyinsola Ogunye who is the founder of Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC); Joshua Alade, the Executive Director of Nigeria Youth SDGs Network; Sowemimo Abiodun, an ECOWAS Youth ambassador; Mary Dinah, Executive Director of Mary Dinah Foundation; Taiwo James, an active social development crusader; Solomon Adetokunbo, a reputable Agropreneur and sustainability advocate and Alexandre Akhighe, the Founder of African Clean Up Initiative.
He stated further that other distinguished young individuals who have common value in championing the initiative are: Abraham Adegoke, Olutayo Irantiola, Adelaja Oluwadamilade, Paul Agada, Favour Olusola, Olumide Alabi, Yetunde Adeleke, Musa OLayinka, Ojo Semasa, Damola Oladipo, Adediji Emmanuel, Mustapha Aminat, Nkiruka Okpara, Mariam Sorunke, Aasiah Solank, Ozioma Uzor, Charles Edosomwan among others.
While applauding the sincerity of purpose and selflessness of the young individuals, he affirmed that government is looking forward to working with the whole youth development sector to ensure that the SDG aspirations translate into reality.
“Lagos State Government acknowledges the enormous capability and capacity of its teeming youth population as evidenced in their remarkable exploits in different areas of human endeavour. It is therefore more beneficial to all when these vibrant and pragmatic individuals are drawn into the development actions and activities of the state with a view to accelerating and improving outcomes. This campaign therefore is opening up the conventional space to strengthen all youth-led efforts to make lasting change across every community and to catalysing the attainment of the SDGs in Lagos State”, he said.
