Fides Media Living the Faith
…Wants Nigerian Govt to Implement UN SDGs
By Ifeoma Ezenyilimba
In continuous sustenance of the vision of the College to educate the students the more through necessary exposure, the famous Catholic Diocese of Awka-owned Tansi International College, Awka (TICA), Anambra State, alongside some other states and countries participated in the 22nd session of Summer Youth Assembly Conference at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA, last long vacation.
The 22nd Summer Youth Assembly Conference which lasted from 10th-13th August, 2018 with the theme: Breaking New Grounds for Sustainable Development, was the 6th consecutive international holiday excursion by TICA from 2015 till date, and the second time to participate in the conference, after the 21st session in 2017.
Due to the regrettable visa denial, only two students- Anthony Adimike of SS1 and Franklin Adimike of JS 3, who had US visa, out of the 12 students shortlisted, made it to the conference. The students were led to the event by the principal of Tansi International College, Awka (TICA), Rev Fr. Paul Onyebuchi II.
At the opening ceremony held on August 11, the Youth Assembly Conference x-rayed the 17 United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were expected to be achieved globally by the year 2030. It is expected that the youths, who were gathered from across the globe, would actualize the goals which included 1. No Poverty, 2. Zero Hunger, 3. Good Health and Well-being, 4. Quality Education, 5. Gender Equality, among others.
Speaking on the sub-theme: Working Across Sector to Achieve SDGs, at New York University School of Law on August 12, the speakers charged the youths to explore all available sectors within their disposal so as to achieve the SDGs. The speaker, who cited Bill Gates as an example of an individual, who explored all sectors within his disposal, and today, stood as one of the richest men in the world, charged the participants not to lose courage.
Sharing their experiences, the participants, who attended Sunday Mass of Aug 12 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Greenwich Village, New York, the oldest Catholic Church building in Manhattan, New York (since 1833), said they were elated to be among the privileged individuals who were at the conference, empowered for the actualization of the UN SDGs, where the pendulum of the world’s development is swinging towards by the year 2030.
In an exclusive interview with Fides, the TICA principal, Rev Fr. Paul Onyebuchi II, thanked God for the privilege the college had to be part of the UN Youth Assembly Conference for the second time. He commended the proprietor of the college and Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, for his many supports, which facilitated the college’s educational trips abroad, from 2015 till date.
Fr Onyebuchi II said the participants were at the conference challenged further to explore all opportunities within their disposal towards academic excellence, saying that education was key to human and national development. This was even as he made known the plans of TICA to target United Kingdom for her next international academic excursion.
Also speaking to Fides, one of the students, Anthony Adimike, said the conference which gave him another opportunity of good exposure which was part of education, gave him an insight into the 17 UN SDGs as well as the need to work together in harmony for optimal peace in the world.
He called on the Nigerian Government to work towards the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria, through which the wellbeing of all, especially the youths would be improved, and discrimination against women, stopped.
The students, who made friends and interacted with their counterparts from Paris, Columbia, India, Sweden and Egypt appreciated the school management for the opportunity gave them to be part of the international excursion, and their parents for the sponsorship.
