Abuja – Prof. Labode Popoola, the Director, Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV), University of Ibadan, says no fewer than 400 people have undertaken sustainable development courses at the centre since its inception in May 2010.
Popoola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the centre would soon train some people on green growth and green economy, adding that the beneficiaries of the training would also train others on emerging issues in the sector.
“Green growth and green economy are new concepts relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the solutions initiatives to enhance delivery on the global development agenda.
“The concepts are about respect for the environment.
“Therefore, there is the need to educate stakeholders involved in development practices and the general public on issues involving the SDGs for successful domestication and implementation.
“The relevance of the concepts point to issues of environmental sustainability, risk management, land and resource conservation.
“Hence, inclusive growth, governance, good leadership, social equity and participation of all stakeholders which are elements of the green economy, would make part of end sum to successful delivery on the SDG.’’
He said emerging issues in the sector were basically environment-based in relation to development, economy, inclusive development, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, social protection, gender and human wellness.
The director said that climate change was also a big issue, adding that these issues interplay with one another or in combination, to drive development trajectory.
Popoola said that CESDEV designed and coordinated eight development training programmes at the post-graduate level.
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He, however, listed some of the cognate programmes at the centre as Development Practices Programme, Indigenous Knowledge and Development Programme, Tourism and Development Programme, and Sustainable Integrated Rural Development.
Others are Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Programme, Climate and Society Programme, and Leadership and Governance Programme.
He added that the Annual Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit (ISDS) had also trained 1,000 participants from the country and abroad.
“ISDS has had over a thousand participants from across sectors including government ministries. departments and agencies, members of the civil society, research and academic institutions.
“The centre has trained participants from business and corporate organisations both within the country, Africa and globally.
“The outcomes of our activities are also disseminated through our several publications,’’ he said.
NAN reports that CESDEV has been contributing to sustainable development in the country and Africa through research, training and development.
CESDEV, being a teaching, research, training and development centre, coordinates activities and programmes tailored towards creating awareness on sustainable development, thereby voicing the needs for inclusive governance and good leadership across board.
