• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Home Features SDGs: Attending Youths Assemble in UN
  • Features

SDGs: Attending Youths Assemble in UN

By
Gidado Yushau Shuaib
-
September 4, 2015
Few months after the launching Youths Digest magazine, I received an invitation as an Editor to attend United Nations Youths’ Assembly at New York organised by Friendship Ambassador Foundation.
Realizing that confirmed sponsorship of an event in America doesn’t guarantee automatic visa to the United States, I filled the online application form for the Visa and wait for miracle.
At the US Embassy in Abuja, I was not only scared but terrified seen the number of prospective travellers, especially businessmen and politicians whose visa requests were rejected. I prayed deeply when I overheard a traveller cursing her unknown enemies, for failure to get the Visa.
“Young man, you are the next person!” A voice interrupted my thought. I looked up only to see that the visa officer beckoned to me to come over.
Being an undergraduate student, I learnt that job interviews are tedious, I didn’t anticipate Visa interview could be more rigid, tough and penetrating. Having read most of the correspondences from organisers on the scheduled programmes and activities in New York and other studies, I found it easy responding to the questions. Though convinced on my response, I still had palpable fears of rejection from seeming Interviewer’s interrogation.
“Your Visa will be ready next week!” the Visa Officer responded with finality.
I was not only excited for the opportunity to visit the USA, the fact that the International Youth Conference, known as Youth Assembly would take place inside the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
After two stopover in Amsterdam and Boston, we finally landed in New York City in 18 hours breath-taking journey. We arrived New York City in the Night with the thick cloud hovering over the beautiful city.  The impressive wide boulevards and flyovers were fascinating and lovely.
On arrival at the UN Headquarters, delegates were issued tags for easy identification in the Building. The Youth Assembly had in attendance nearly 600 delegates from over 30 countries. Most of the discussions and deliberations focused on the Sustainable Development Goals after the expiration of Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs).
Nigerian-born Amina J. Mohammed who is currently Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the United Nations on Post -2015 Development Planning was among the guest speakers. She set the tune for the conference when she declared that: “Now you have a real chance to make a tremendous impact in the world – as the chosen few.”
Another inspiring speaker was Andy Rabens, US Special Advisor for Global Youth Issues who narrated his experience at the UN General Assembly Hall more than 10 years ago as a young man and intern. He talked about a “Pager” being used then as a mobile device. He said “it would buzz, a number would appear, and you’d go to a pay phone, throw in a quarter, and call them back in a different time. Mobile phones was not too popular then.”
He added that the period, which was before the 9/11 Suicide Bombing in United States there were no Facebook, Twitter, smartphones, selfies or any powerful social networks for easy communication.
I wonder how the youths were communicating before Year 2000 when there were no means of communicating through technology. In fact the youths had far less power at their fingertips compare to modern age.  We could not imagine a life without smartphone, internet and social media platforms.
Other speakers agreed that because of technology and demographics, we now live in the most empowered generation the world has ever seen. With about 60 percent of globe population below the age of 35, the youths have the power to change the world positively by mobilizing towards just causes.
The delegates lauded the launching of the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) that would expand on the success under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). While they agreed that MDGs have recorded reductions in people living in extreme poverty and access to clean water among others, there are more loopholes to be blocked and tackled.
The new agenda of SDGs will likely consist of additional goals for the next 15 years towards eradicating extreme poverty; ensuring environmental sustainability and conservation; advancing gender equality, continuing to tackle conflict and climate change and building peaceful and economically prosperous societies so that no global citizen is left behind.
The young people at the Assembly unanimously agreed that with modern technology and the world of connectivity, there is greater opportunity to not only help shape the world view but to implement SDGs and ensure that concrete progress takes place before our very eyes.
The UN Youth Assembly not only broadens my scope of knowledge on MDGs and SDGs, the trip exposes me to exceptional youths that are passionate about changing the world positively.
Gidado Yushau Shuaib
Baze University, Abuja
VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
Previous articlePresidential Directive: Military to End Boko Haram Terrorism
Next articleAfrican Defence Chiefs Meet to Tackle Terrorism
Gidado Yushau Shuaib
Gidado Yushau Shuaib
https://prnigeria.com
PRNigeria is the pioneer Press Release Distribution agency in Nigeria. A member of image Merchant Promotions limited, PRNigeria encourages individuals and organisations to be more transparent in their information management. with dedicated Editorial staffs, the PRNigeria ensures that information provided on its platforms are timely, factual and authoritative Read more at: //prnigeria.com/about/
Facebook Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Guests at IPRA Conference in Ghana

TRAVELOGUE: Of a Roadside Presidential Office, a Wise Driver and 3 Days in Ghana

Bauchi’s Investment Summit: Heralding a New Era of Prosperity, By Lawal Muazu Bauchi

Mental Health

Nigeria’s Silent Epidemic: Why Mental Health Can No Longer Wait By Hadiza Isyaku Abdulsalam

Governor Duoye Diri

UNILAG to Honor Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, Launches Professorial Chair on Good Governance

The Silence Over the Lagos Five: A National Tragedy Ignored By Hawwah A. Gambo

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Uche Nnaji. PHOTO: X | @chiefuchennaji

Alleged Certificate Forgery: Why Uche Nnaji Must Resign or Get Fired Immediately

GWA Award Winners 2025

PHOTOS: Nigeria Customs, IMPR Bag Back-to-Back Golden World Award at IPRA 70th Anniversary

Christian Genocide and the Conspiracy against Nigeria By Femi Fani-Kayode

General Lucky Irabor (rtd) and the DG VON Jibrin Baba Ndace and his book Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum

General Irabor @60 and the Scars that Tell Nigeria’s Story By Abdulsalam Mahmud

Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi Registrar National Examinations Council

NECO’s Unexpected Renaissance By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

Senator Ali Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume: Bold, Blunt and Unapologetic By Ozumi Abdul

Pantami’s Reinvention and the Road to 2027 By Kabir Akintayo

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Recent Posts

  • Tinubu Grants Clemency to 82 Inmates, Pardons Mamman Vatsa, Herbert Macaulay, Farouk Lawan
  • Troops Kill 9 Boko Haram Fighters, Recover ₦5m Ransom in Borno
  • In Scars, Gen. Irabor Chronicles the Human Toll of Boko Haram: 2,700 Soldiers and 350,000 Lives Lost
  • GOCOP Elects Danlami Nmodu as President, Inaugurates New EXCO
  • Troops Rescue Kidnapped Victims After Fierce Gun Battle in Kwara
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Tinubu Grants Clemency to 82 Inmates, Pardons Mamman Vatsa, Herbert Macaulay, Farouk LawanTroops Kill 9 Boko Haram Fighters, Recover ₦5m Ransom in BornoIn Scars, Gen. Irabor Chronicles the Human Toll of Boko Haram: 2,700 Soldiers and 350,000 Lives LostGOCOP Elects Danlami Nmodu as President, Inaugurates New EXCOTroops Rescue Kidnapped Victims After Fierce Gun Battle in KwaraNigeria Customs Service Warns Public Against Fake Recruitment ShortlistNigeria Customs Debunks Fake Recruitment Shortlist Circulating on Social MediaTroops Neutralise Four ISWAP Terrorists, Rescue Hostages, Foil Boko Haram Attack in BornoCourt Admits Samuel Aruwan’s Statement in ICPC’s Money Laundering Case Against Ex-El-Rufai AideTroops Crush Terrorist Attack in Ngamdu, Kill Several InsurgentsTRAVELOGUE: Of a Roadside Presidential Office, a Wise Driver and 3 Days in GhanaNAF Begins Review of Rivers Airstrikes on Oil Thieves’ HideoutsBauchi’s Investment Summit: Heralding a New Era of Prosperity, By Lawal Muazu BauchiEx-Kebbi Council Officials Convicted for N54 Million Fraud and Abuse of OfficeTroops Deepen Offensive, Eliminate 5 Terrorists, Recover Arms in Borno
X whatsapp