Al-Hikmah Don Lectures Secondary School Students on Sustainable Development Goals

 

By Felix Ajide

A lecturer at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Dr. Azeemat Abdulazeez of the Department of Public Health has urged secondary school students to embrace the ideals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by becoming agents of positive change in their schools and communities.

Dr. Abdulazeez, who gave the charge while delivering a lecture on the Sustainable Development Goals to students of selected secondary schools across Ilorin metropolis on Wednesday, said the programme was in collaboration with other stakeholders.

The lecture was aimed at creating awareness among young people on the importance of sustainable development and their role in achieving the global goals.

Speaking during the interactive session, the university don explained that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations to address global challenges such as poverty, hunger, poor health, inadequate education, gender inequality, environmental degradation, and climate change.

She emphasized that the goals are not meant for governments alone, noting that students and young people have critical roles to play in promoting quality education, environmental sustainability, peace, and social responsibility.

According to her, students can contribute to the attainment of the SDGs through good academic performance, environmental sanitation, tree planting, responsible use of resources, respect for human rights, and active participation in community development initiatives.

Dr. Abdulazeez encouraged the students to develop leadership qualities and acquire relevant skills that would enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development and global progress.

She also stressed the importance of education as a vital tool for achieving many of the SDGs, urging the students to remain focused on their studies and cultivate values such as discipline, integrity, hard work, and innovation.

Also speaking Mr Olufemi Oladejo said the programme on UN Global, Advocacy Walk and Press Conference 2026 with the theme “Leave No One Behind” was being organised by stakeholders across the country to create awareness among secondary school children on the need for participation and empowerment for sustainable development (COPESA)

The students, who actively participated in the lecture, quizz, and walk, asked questions on sanitation, quality education, poverty reduction, and environmental protection.

Mr Oladejo, while expressing appreciation for the opportunity to empower the students about the global development agenda, urged them to educate their colleagues and parents.

He said that students and teachers who participated would be encouraged to establish SDGs Girl Child Club in their various schools with a view to train other students on SDGs.

Oladejo said the programme formed part of efforts to promote awareness and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals among young people and to inspire them to become responsible citizens committed to sustainable development.

Some of the secondary schools who participated were Al-Hikmah International College, Adeta, Ilorin Grammar School (IGS),
G0vt Community’s Secondary School ,Wara,
Annaheem academy, Ilorin, among others.