By Bisi Bamishe
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Synergy Initiative has paid a courtesy visit to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to seek collaboration in creating greater awareness about insurance and engaging Nigerian youths in the implementation of the SDGs.
The meeting, yesterday began with a welcome remark by the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Finance and Administration, Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, who later invited the Executive Director of SDGs Synergy Initiative, Mr. Usman Alhaji Lawan, to deliver his presentation.
In his address, Mr. Lawan disclosed that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a support partner of the Initiative as it prepares to host a youth summit in partnership with the National Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN). He noted that the summit aims to:
1. Raise awareness about the importance of youth participation in achieving the SDGs.
2. Foster collaboration between Nigerian youths and the Brazilian Embassy in supporting the SDGs.
3. Highlight the specific roles of youths in contributing to the implementation of the SDGs.
He called for NAICOM’s support in sensitizing young people on the importance of insurance, stressing that the summit intends to engage critical stakeholders to ensure its success.
Responding, Mr. Ekerete highlighted the Commission’s ongoing initiative with the Federal Ministry of Youth to engage one million youths in capacity building. He commended the SDGs Synergy Initiative for its forward-looking proposal and assured them of NAICOM’s collaboration to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria.
