The Senior Special Assistant to the President on
Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire,
on Thursday advocated for a general stakeholders’ commitment in the quest to ensure
zero discrimination across all strata of the society.
Orelope-Adefulire in a statement issued by her
Media Assistant, Desmond Utomwen, noted that the provision of Goal 16 Target
(b) in the SDGs framework enjoins countries to promote and enforce
non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.
“As we join the United Nations and other international
organisations to mark the Zero Discrimination Day, it is my honour to encourage
everyone to continue to contribute and support the efforts aimed at eradicating
all forms of discrimination,” Orelope-Adefulire stated, while calling for the
adoption of policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies
among other efforts to progressively achieve greater equality.
While maintaining that the Nigerian Government is
doing its best to tackle the challenges of inequality and discrimination, just
as it has made significant strides towards lifting people out of poverty, she
further noted that the government would continue to address all forms of
inequality, disparities noticed in access to health and education services and
other assets.
She added that there is growing consensus that
economic growth is not sufficient to reduce poverty if it is not inclusive and
if it does not involve the three dimensions of sustainable development-economic,
social and environmental.
To reduce discrimination and inequality therefore,
she stated that policies should be universal in principle paying attention to
the needs of disadvantaged and marginalised populations.
The presidential aide called for support of all
stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society organisations,
(CSOs), development partners among others in the entrenchment of mechanisms
that would help empower and promote the social, economic and political
inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity,
origin, religion, economic and other status.
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