Nigeria and other countries of the world have been called upon to redouble efforts to reduce their military expenditures and shift the funds to address shortfall in financing of critical development indices.
The call was made in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, during a Press Conference by Brain Builders’ Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI).
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The programme was part of the activities to mark this year’s United Nations General Assembly and Global Week of Action.
According to the Executive Director of BBYDI, Olasupo Abideen, the world is at a very critical stage now with the advent of the war in Ukraine, climate change, economic and food crises happening just after we are gradually moving out of the Covid-19 pandemic with its devastating effect.
He said this is the time for countries to focus on seeking solutions that build global sustainability and resilience rather than military expenditure that is escalating the problem.
He said the present situation has put the agenda 2030 of the SDG of United Nations (UN) under threat.
“There is need for a global commitment from states to reduce military expenditures and to shift these funds to address the shortfall in financing for the achievement of Agenda 2030 commitments.
“For the world to recover from these problems, the recovery must leave no one behind… there is still time to deliver sustainable development within the Decade of Action.
“We need to transform a system that is no longer fit for purpose, flip the script and re-imagine our planet as our shared home, respecting the rights of all people and the natural world.
“Now is the time to step back from armed conflicts, reduce militarism around the world. Wars and conflicts are one of the major factors leading to increasing global poverty”, he added.
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