Plan International Nigeria and Sterling One Foundation (SOF) have emphasised the need to push beyond rhetoric and drive meaningful action, particularly around inclusion and gender equality.
The two organisations made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, as the world hits the midpoint of the UN’s Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Country Director, Plan International, Charles Usie, said that the organisations were bringing to the forefront the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS), positioned as a crucial platform for accelerating progress especially on SDG 17.
He said that Plan International Nigeria would be driving strategic discussions on gender equity, inclusive education and protection, amplifying the urgent need for resilient systems that safeguard and support adolescent girls, particularly in crises areas.
“The development conversation is incomplete if girls are still being left behind.
“ASIS is a space where that reality can not be ignored. We are here to keep the focus on meaningful change for every girl navigating risk, uncertainty and unequal systems,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SOF, Mrs Olapeju Ibekwe, said that ASIS was conceived in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ibekwe described the initiative as a recovery mechanism to unite sectors around the SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda.
She expressed gratitude for international collaborations, including with Taiwan International, and reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to building inclusive partnerships.
“This summit is not a talk shop. It is a transformational space where partnerships are born, and where action is catalysed to deliver real impact,”she said.
She said that the 2025 summit was scheduled to hold between July 10 and July 11 in Lagos.
According to her, it is set to gather influential voices from the public, private, and third sectors under the theme: “Scaling Action: Bold Solutions for Climate Resilience and Policy Innovation”.
She said that the summit had grown exponentially since its inception shortly after the pandemic, with partnerships increasing by over 500 per cent.
“ASIS 2025 promises to be a dynamic convening for those serious about catalysing tangible impact across Africa,” she said. (NAN)
