By Victor Emeruwa
Sterling One Foundation has called on the public and private sectors in Africa to forge a stronger strategic alliance with development organizations in delivering measurable solutions to actualizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Olapeju Ibekwe, the CEO of Sterling One Foundation during a Summit on ‘Africa Social Impact’ held in Abuja challenged the government and private enterprises to build synergies and strategic partnerships in response to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Olapeju said the challenges confronting the African continent can no longer be tackled working in silos, noting that there is a need to urgently upscale partnerships across government, public, and private organizations in achieving the sustainable development goals.
She said Sterling One Foundation is pushing for more aggressive partnerships and inclusive actions from civil societies, private and public sectors across Africa to accelerate actualization of the UN sustainable development agenda.
The 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals are targeted at ending poverty, and hunger and strengthening access to education and healthcare, by the end of 2030.
The Special Adviser to the President on Finance and Economy, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the summit, Dr. Sarah Alade, stressed the need for integration of private sector ideas and knowledge in achieving SDGs.
Dr. Sarah said other development organizations should emulate the partnership drive of the Sterling One Foundation in achieving all 17 goals, stating that it is time to build and sustain partnerships to achieve SDGs by 2030.
