Former Special Adviser to former Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Development Partnership, Dr. Margaret Fagboyo, has unveiled a non-governmental organization (NGO) aimed at promoting equal opportunities, social justice and community empowerment in the society.
Speaking during the inauguration of the organization called Inclusive Pathways Development Initiative (IPADEV) in Ado-Ekiti, which was attended by stakeholders including civil society organisations, Fagboyo explained that the organization will work to ensure sustainable development through equal opportunities for all.
He lamented the increasing level of poverty in the society due to lack of inclusive governance and marginalization of women, persons with disabilities and youth.
“In every community, we see poverty, unemployment, lack of access to quality healthcare and education. We see marginalized voices, particularly women, youth and people with disabilities, struggling to be heard and represented in decision-making.
“We also see how corruption, insecurity and weak governance structures have eroded public trust and slowed our development progress.
“The lack of inclusive governance and representation has exacerbated these problems, leading to the marginalization of certain groups. Systemic issues such as poor policy implementation, weak accountability frameworks and limited collaboration between government, civil society and the private sector further complicate the challenges.
“This is the opportunity that gave birth to IPADEV. With a focus on sustainable development, social justice and human empowerment,” Fagboyo said.
He called on the country’s actors to support the organization in the search for a better and productive society.
“Today’s launch is not just the unveiling of a new organisation. It is a call for partnership, a call for government, civil society, the private sector and indeed the media, to work together to create a nation that leaves no one behind,” he added.
For her part, the Executive Director of the New Generations Initiative for Girls and Women Development (NIGAWD), Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, commended the founder and her team for the new initiative, pledging the support of CSOs in the state to achieve sustainable development.