UNDP Honours Adefulire Amidst Showers of Accolades

The United Nations on Tuesday conferred SDGs Champions award on former Senior Special Assistant to the former President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sustainable Development Goals, SSAP-SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, amidst praises from development partners.

The award was conferred on the former presidential adviser at an event held at UN House, Abuja, presided over by UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mathias Schmale, in recognition of her ground-breaking achievements as supervisory head of Nigeria's SDGs since 2016.

Schmale, who hosted the event, teed off the accolades for Orelope-Adefulire as he described her as an achiever and barrier breaker whose achievements as head of Nigeria’s SDGs office will be difficult to match.

Speaking in the same vein, UN Deputy Resident Representatives, Programmes, Lealem Berhanu Dinku, noted that Nigeria made remarkable breakthroughs in the implementation of SDGs under Orelope-Adefulire leadership of OSSAP-SDGs.   

According to him, efforts of Princess Orelope-Adefulire led to the country’s six geopolitical zones feeling SDGs impact in measures hitherto unknown.

The SSAP-SDGs, Dinku added, made significant strides in several SDGs fronts, citing the impressive collaboration and integration processes she initiated that resulted in such landmark establishments as the Integrated National Financial Framework, INFF, and among others, the iSDGS Nigeria Model.

“Your unwavering support for the SDG-aligned states development plans across 15 states, is truly commendable. By assisting these states in integrating the SDGs into their development agenda, you have demonstrated your commitment to ensuring the localization of the goals and fostering grass root progress towards sustainable development.

“Your tireless advocacy for improved access to quality education, poverty alleviation, gender equality, sustainable energy, health and sustainable urban development has positively impacted the lives of countless Nigerians. Your achievements serves as an inspiration to all, highlighting the power of dedicated individuals in driving sustainable development,” Dinku said, adding that the UN feels really proud to have collaborated with the SSAP-SDGs in the pursuit of a shared goals.

“At UNDP, we are honoured to have collaborated with you and the OSSAP-SDGs in pursuit of our shared goals. We applaud your outstanding contributions and look forward to continuing our partnership to accelerate progress towards the SDGs in Nigeria.”

First Lady, Sen Remi Tinubu, who was represented at the occasion by the APC national women leader, Bertha Edu, harped on the quality of Princess Adefulire’s character which she said was manifested in all the public offices she held and her performances therefrom.

She noted that as the first female member of the Lagos state house of Assembly, Princess Orelope-Adefulire concern for both women and the girl child was self-evident. During the period, the First Lady noted, she initiated the Domestic Violence Bill, which became a law in Lagos and has since been domesticated in other federating states.

“She is a great personality with a proven track record of transcendence and real time governance. Princess Orelope- Adefuire has diligently served Nigeria in many fronts and capacities, making invaluable contributions for the good of the society.”

The First Lady also stressed that Princess Orelope-Adefulire’s has demonstrated her commitment to the welfare of maternal and child health, poverty eradication even before her appointment as the head of the country’s SDGs Office, where she also excelled, a reason for which she is being celebrated.

Apparently overwhelmed with the adulation, Princess Orelope-Adefulire, who was accompanied to the event by her husband, Barr Abiodun Adefulire, thanked the UN for giving her the award, not forgetting to also give credit to former President, Muhammadu Buhari, whom she said, gave her the opportunity to serve as SSAP-SDGS.

“I would like to use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, former President, for the opportunity to serve as SSAP-SDGs.”

She also paid tribute to the contributions of her team which she referred to as the SDGs family, the real engine room for the humble success she recorded. Not done, she singled out her husband, whom described as the best husband in the whole world and one who stood as her backbone and pillar of support over the years.

In particular, she urged the UN to continue to assist and collaborate with the OSSAP-SDGs even more than the way it collaborated with her.

“Let me begin by thanking God Almighty for a day like this and the gift of life.

“It is difficult to express my feelings in spoken words. I am elated to stand here today as a recipient of the 2023 United Nations SDGs Champions’ award from the United Nations’ system in Nigeria.

“This is a significant and momentous occasion in my life and that of my family. I am deeply honoured by the recognition of my modest contribution to the 2030Agendafor sustainable development,” she urged.

“In accepting this award today, let me place on record my profound appreciation to the United Nations Country team, under the leadership of His Excellency, Mathias Schmale, for the commitment and tremendous support towards the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria.

“Together, we have made significant progress in our collective desire to achieve the SDGs and leave no Nigerian behind,” she added.

Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari and Head of Service, HOS, were represented at the event.