UN POLAC Inaugurates New Devt Committee to Drive National Goals

Samuel Mobolaji

In a bid to enhance Nigeria’s development initiatives, United Nations Positive Livehood Award Centre, UN POLAC officially inaugurated its new Development Committee on Saturday at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

The Deputy Country President of UN POLAC, Amb. Hon. Peter C. Ohagwa, stated that the inauguration marks the beginning of a focused effort to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.

During his inaugural address, Ohagwa commended the 22 newly appointed committee members for their selection from a pool of over 500 candidates, emphasizing the significance of their roles.

“Many are called, but few are chosen,” he noted, underscoring the high expectations placed on this elite group tasked with shaping critical policies for national progress.

The Committee, chaired by Her Excellency Amb. Dr. Mrs. Lydia Okodogbe, includes prominent figures such as His Excellency Amb. Dr. Henry Oroh and Amb. Sarah E. Ajose-Adeogun, serving as Vice Chairman and Secretary, respectively. This diverse assembly is poised to tackle pressing developmental challenges across various sectors.

Ohagwa outlined the committee’s five subcommittees: Infrastructure Development, National & International Diplomacy, UN POLAC Peace College Restructuring, MDGs to SDGs Realization, and Funding & Donor Agencies. Each subcommittee is charged with formulating innovative strategies and policies to effectively address Nigeria’s socio-economic issues.

The Deputy Country President emphasized the importance of collaboration, urging members to extend their efforts beyond national borders to partner with organizations sharing similar goals.

“Your collective efforts will be vital in raising awareness of critical issues and promoting sustainable development across all regions of Nigeria,” he stated.

This inauguration not only signifies UN POLAC’s commitment to its core mandate but also represents a strategic approach to leveraging the expertise of its members to achieve substantial outcomes. The organization is dedicated to serving as a catalyst for development, fostering peace, and restoring human dignity in alignment with global standards.

As the newly inaugurated committee embarks on its mission, it holds the potential to reshape Nigeria’s development landscape, making this event a significant milestone in the ongoing journey toward sustainable growth and prosperity.

Earlier the Director General/Chairman BOT, Prof. (Obong) Lion Halo Eton who was represented by the Secretary General UN-POLAC ,Amb.Dr Mrs Patricia Agu while delivering his speech noted that UN-POLAC is established to strengthen the UN/UNESCO policies and programmes on peace building with guiding philosophies of establishing lasting peace in Nigeria, and by extension Africa, to ensure people understand one another by discussing freely and sincerely about matters of common concern without gap that will bring all the ethnic groups together as one indivisible United Nation.

“We need vision because action without vision is often wasted, and vision without action is just dream. Action helps us understand that we live in a world that is changing at a faster pace.

“The Future is not out there, waiting to be met, the future is here, waiting to be created, it is in our hands, and Today am convinced that the carefully selected high profile committee will act good ancestors by linking our ideal of service with the generation to come”.

Also speaking, the chair of the Development Committee, Amb. Dr. Mrs. Lydia Okodogbe, expressed her goal of collaborating with every committee member to develop plans that will facilitate the realization of UN POLAC’s overall objectives and the vision of the United Nations.

According to her, “My future plan is to see UN POLAC take its rightful place at the forefront alongside sister agencies like UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, and others.”

Mrs. Okodogbe advised the newly inaugurated members to take action and complete tasks promptly, while being committed and resilient in achieving their goals.

Amb. Dr. Henry Nnakaihe, a member of the Development Committee, also shared his commitment to working collaboratively with other members to realize their vision and build a better future through action and determination.