The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria and Channels Television have announced a new strategic partnership to promote public engagement on the development issues facing Nigeria, with the intent to find people-centred solutions.
The agreement was announced in Lagos, as Mohamed Yahya, Resident Representative of UNDP in Nigeria, and Mr John Momoh, Chairman, Channels Media Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the organisations.
Through the partnership, the UNDP and Channels TV will offer a platform that promotes active dialogue by co-creating and expanding opportunities for multimedia public engagement forums. The platform is expected to explore innovative ideas and solutions that help to inform government policy and decision making; and, design people-centred interventions and strategies, towards the acceleration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking on the partnership, Mohamed Yahya stated, “We have ten years to go before the SDGs are met. As we start the Decade of Action, creating a platform where the public can access information and engage with experts across various sectors is key to the delivery of the global goals.”
The platform, which hopes to connect experts across all sectors from Nigeria and globally, will explore Nigeria’s potential by leveraging on the innovation and the creativity of Nigerians as opportunities to solving development challenges through home-grown, people-driven solutions.
“We are delighted by the relationship we have and working with the UNDP trying to see that the SDGs brought to the fore in what we do at Channels. The MoU further cements the relationship we have with you,” said Mr John Momoh, Chairman, Channels Media Group.
As part of the Memorandum, UNDP and Channels TV will collaborate to promote dialogue on the SDGs to assist the government to come up with policies and programmes that can accelerate national sustainable development. This will be achieved through brainstorming, dialoguing and consensus-building provided by the platform.
The dialogues, expected to hold every two months, will cover thematic and topical national issues, harness collaborative advantages and expertise to support the government to design and implement integrated solutions. The sustained engagement will allow for transparent and accountable development, including investment in young people, among others.
