By Olagoke-Adaramoye Dare
GOAL 1- ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER
Its aim is to bring about a total eradication of poverty through job creation (fight unemployment) and cause a massive development in agriculture so as to ensure that food is available for all.
However, this goal has encountered a major setback in Nigeria to the best of my knowlege as the level of unemployment is still very high while most Nigerian can hardly feed thrice a day. Thank God for the likes of Dangote who is encouraging our agricultural sector.
GOAL 2- ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION
The aim of this goal is to wipe out illitracy by ensuring that every child goes to school and at least obtain a primary school education.
This goal has added much value to Nigeria education system through universal basic education (UBE) that was lauched during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Despite all efforts to make this goal achievable in Nigeria, many children are still not benefitting from this goal especially in the Northern part of the country where western education is not valued e.g. the Al-manjiris.
GOAL 3- PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN
Its aims are to ensure that women’s right is protect, women gender has the same right and power as men, and also ensure that women are empowered to participate in politics e.t.c.
Efforts of this goal has however been frustrated in Africa where little or no value is placed on the female gender but it has really brought much development to Africa as a whole.
Nigeria now has women hold key/top positions in government and organizations.
GOAL 4- REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY
The aim is to cause reduction of infants and children’s death.
The progress of this goal has been rapid. Statistical data of children under the age of 5 revealed 201 deaths per 1000 in 2003 to 157 per 1000 live births in 2008. In the same period, the infant mortality rate fell even faster from 100 to 75 deaths per 1000 live births.
GOAL 5- IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH
Many pregnant women have died during the process of child labor and pregnancy. In Nigera, maternal death has reduce by 32% from 800 deaths per 100,000 live birth to 545 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2008
GOAL 6- COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES
Efforts of this goal has really prove positive in Nigeria especially in the area of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and polio. Prevalence of HIV has fallen from 5.8% in 2001 to 4.2% in 2008 while it is espected that by the end of 2012 the prevalence must have fallen to 2.1%.
GOAL 7- ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Though, natural disasters has really proven to be a major threat to this goal in Nigeria and some other countries of the world.
However, this goal has proven positive in Nigeria especially in povision of save drinking water.
GOAL 8- DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT
This goal seeks to foster unity between countries of the world so that global development can be achieved.
Nigeria’s debt serving has fallen while a significant development has been achieved technologically.
