Edo State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Erimona Edorodion Oye and the Minority Leader, Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon. Daniel Uwadia were among the 15-man delegation from Edo State who attended the World Urban Forum (WUF10) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to chart paths to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.
The event in its tenth edition was organised by the United Nations (UN) Habitat, in partnership with the UAE government, to address the issue of rapid urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate and policies.
In a statement, Uwadia said the 5-day event, which held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), had the theme “Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation”.
Others are Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chris Abode; Bishop Benjamin Okoedion of Regint Ministries; Mr. Oghosa Enobakhare; Mr. Osahon Osaghae, Chief Executive Officer of H20 Enterprise; Prince Osawe Uwagboe, Chairman, Prince Uwagboe Students and Youth Foundation; Miss Stephanie Osagie and Mr. Stephen Aluya-Ovih, a freelance software developer, among others.
The event had over thirteen thousand (13,000) delegates in attendance including Prime Ministers, Governors, Ministers, Commissioners and other well-meaning individuals from embassies, universities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), civil society groups, youth-led organizations and government agencies from over 168 countries.
According to him, the programme focused on international and national legislation principles as it relates to the New Urban Agenda, the Agenda 2030 and issues bordering on the deforestation, climate activities and other hazardous effects of the rapid urbanization in areas like Lagos, Benin and Port-Harcourt.
“The parliamentary roundtable allowed the opportunity to network with top officials and parliamentarians from various countries and meet key stakeholders in the UN. Various cities/countries were represented at the exhibition grounds where they showcased the direction their governments are taking in advancing cultural and innovative urbanization.”
Receiving the Edo delegates, Nigerian Ambassador to the UAE, Ambassador Mohammed Dansanta Rimi, commended the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Edo State Government for its efforts in youth development.
He noted that Nigerian immigrants find it difficult securing jobs in the UAE because they lack not only formal education but also the technical skills to pilot certain position, noting “that is why we applaud the Governor Obaseki-led administration’s initiative to train and equip young people with essential skills.”
