From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Six of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been adopted by the Unite the People through Heritage Opportunities to Leverage Diversity Dividends for Nigeria (UPHOLDD) to address poverty.
The initiatives are anchored on unity for peace and security; prosperity for economic sufficiency through domestic resource mobilisation, creativity and innovation for job creation.
Others are sustainability for green-blue economy development; inclusivity for persons with disability and the elderly; diversity for cultural integration and heritage preservation; equality for sustainable democracy through open society, social justice and strong institutions/good governance.
UPHOLDD Director General, Victor Agih, in a statement, yesterday, said the initiative would empower eight million indigent Nigerians across 8,000 wards through the National Integration Marshalls Programme.
He said: “Through the UPHOLDD Nigeria initiative, we aim to connect over eight million young Nigerians from over 500 ethnic-lingual nationalities in the country’s six geopolitical zones, through the establishment of up to 8,000 National Pride Ward-level hubs which serve as the backbone of this initiative, promoting education, innovation, enterprise, and eco-citizenship as key pillars for economic growth and offering a platform for youths to collaborate, innovate, and lead the charge in creating a more unified and prosperous Nigeria.
“The initiative is powered by the #UPSIDE Naija Campaign, which is structured as a mass mobilisation mechanism that accelerates a Pan Nigeria citizens call to action to promote renewed resilience and responsibility to reset the progressive possibilities through national youth integration, national socio-cultural reorientation for national economic transformation.
“At the heart of the campaign are six goals to promote sustainable development and democracy: unity for peace and security; prosperity for economic sufficiency through domestic resource mobilisation, creativity and innovation for job creation; sustainability for green-blue economy development; inclusivity for persons with disability and the elderly; diversity for cultural integration and heritage preservation; equality for sustainable democracy through open society, social justice and strong institutions/good governance.
“The UPHOLDD Nigeria Initiative not only seeks to empower Nigerian youths but also foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the nation’s future.
“It is a call to action for Nigerian youths to actively participate in the nation’s transformation by embracing and promoting cultural innovation.
“This initiative seeks to reignite the potential of Nigeria’s diversity, emphasising inclusivity, equality, and people-centric opportunities.
“At its core, UPHOLDD Nigeria aims to uphold the Nigerian spirit of oneness and unity, creating a unifying consciousness progressive nationalism.
“Deliberate action is crucial to foster national integration in multi-ethnic democracies, especially in polarised environments.
“In such contexts, where historical grievances and marginalisation can fuel tensions, deliberate efforts are needed to help bridge divides, promote mutual understanding, and strengthen the social fabric necessary for a stable and prosperous democracy.
“The National Integration Marshalls Programme is the first of its kind—a citizen-driven service programme that positions young Nigerians at the forefront of national development.
“The programme aims to launch Nigeria’s first development goals action plan, a citizen-led social mobility agenda that celebrates the ‘UPSIDE of Nigeria’ through the values of unity, prosperity, sustainability, inclusivity, diversity, and equity.”