Mobil Producing Nigeria and the Akwa Ibom State Government have recommended that a concerted approach by various stakeholders is the only way to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals that were officially established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, after the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. 189 United Nations member states, including Nigeria and at least 23 international organizations agreed to achieve these goals by the year 2015.
The goals include eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women and reducing child mortality rates. Others include improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability and developing global partnership for development.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the 54th Annual Conference of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Paul C. Arinze, General Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Mobil Producing Nigeria, said the multi-prong method would achieve better and quicker results.
He said: “Science and technology provide the bedrock for any form of societal development and break through. Therefore, science education and the development of cutting edge technologies will be crucial in the fulfillment of the MDGs. We believe a multi-stakeholder science-education development effort, driven by the government and supported by corporate organisations, will enable the nation achieve the MGD goals.”
Arinze, who was represented by Susan Eshett, Manager, Special Projects, further noted that it was that philosophy that has accounted for Mobil’s sponsorship of the STAN National Science Quiz Competition in the last 18 years.
“The competition aligns with ExxonMobil’s commitment that investing in education, especially science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, benefits the country and serves as a catalyst for economic and technological development.
It is our conviction that by supporting education, especially STEM, we are making an investment in our future by nurturing the next generation of science professionals and equipping them with a strong foundation for the future,” he said.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe, said all stakeholders, including relevant government agencies, corporate organisations and international bodies must work in synergy in order to achieve the MDGs.
He noted that his administration has awarded various scholarships to students in critical and specialised science, technology and engineering courses in local and foreign universities.
