The document is a presentation by Mr. Marcus Ekure at the UN SDGs Global Festival of Action in Bonn, Germany in May 2019. It discusses Nigeria's efforts to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals and challenges faced. It highlights UPYA/ACLEVS' mobile vocational training program as a case study for a new, effective implementation approach through passion-based skills training, entrepreneurship education, and public-private partnerships.

1. A PRESENTATION
BY
MR MARCUS EKURE
AT THE
UN SDGs GLOBAL FESTIVAL OF ACTION
IN BONN, GERMANY
2ND - 4TH MAY, 2019.

2. INTRODUCTION
Today, the World has transited from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the present and most Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
This transition was heralded by a meeting of World leaders in New York upon the expiration of the MDGs in year
2015.
To transform the world through the 2030 Agenda of the UN vision for all people and nations, the issues must be
taken from mere policies and statements of intent to practical actions.
The SDGs are meant to attack, reduce and engender economic, social, political, environmental, inequality challenges
rather than deal with their symptoms.
The 17 global goals provide a road map and standard for all countries to follow to enable them strike a balance
between humanity and the environment: a balance that is good and acceptable for the peace and prosperity of all
people and the harmony of planet earth.
Therefore, simply put, the global goals inspire hope for breaking the vicious circle of poverty, extreme hunger,
inequality and environmentally destructive vices that are confronting people and the planet today.
The key on SDGs is how to promote the process of change that results in a balanced transformation of human lives
and environment. By the target of the 2030 agenda, sustainable development is a transformative channel in three
specific dimensions – Economic, Environment and Social.

3. NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE
SDGs IMPLEMENTATION
The government has, in its bid to contribute its quota to the actualisation of the SDGs, initiated some
forms of programs at different levels to tackle various categories of needs some of which include:
• The N-Power Project, designed to tackle unemployment challenge;
• Government Enterprise Empowerment Program popularly know as ‘Market Moni’ which is
targeted at strengthening the growth of SMEs and the likes;
• Free feeding for primary school children to tackle challenge of hunger
• The You Win program designed to empower young entrepreneurs with start-up capital
Be that as it may, many of these initiatives and more have left so much to be desired as majority of
them do not achieve their formative purposes.

4. REASONS FOR FAILURE OF GOVERNMENT
POWERED SDGs PROGRAMS
 Poor or negative attitudinal formation on the part of both leaders and citizenry. The average Nigerian
political leader is corrupt and full of greed and selfishness to say the least. When they are opportuned
to be entrusted with the common wealth of the public, the very first thought that runs through their
mind, is how to loot and amass wealth for themselves and generations unborn. Most times they do
this with relish and to the detriment of the citizenry without even the slightest punitive weight on
them. This has become a systemic problem as the younger generation have had their fare share in this
psychological and attitudinal makeup.
 Today, an average Nigerian youth wants a short cut to success not minding the consequences. To
many of them, the idea of skill acquisition or vocational education doesn't ‘make sense’ as they
either have their eyes up in search of political opportunities, Ponzi schemes or one scam or the other
which they believe is their ticket out of poverty.
 With this psychological make up, it has become practically difficult to succeed with initiatives such
as those of the SDGs, especially in the area of skill acquisition or enterprise empowerment programs.

5. POOR ORIENTATION OR VALUE CLARIFICATION
Despite the deficiency highlighted above, it is important to note that
with adequate orientation and value clarification, many of the youths
and women would take such developmental programs seriously.
********************

6. POOR MANAGEMENT OF FOREIGN AIDS
CUM SUPPORT BY OUR GOVERNMENT
A large amount of the funds coming into the country in form of aids to Nigeria is not being
properly utilized to fill the need for which they are designed. In the recent times lots of
foreign donors have been complaining seriously of getting little or no results from such aids
or funds sent to many of our African countries. Nigeria is not an exception in this regard.
Until foreign donors or partners devise a more accountable way of dispensing funds and
ensuring the funds get to the hands of responsible governments or private humanitarian
operators, this lamentation would continue.

7. POOR IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
It is a notable fact that Nigerian government has never succeeded with
any business. This is largely due to the fact that appointments are often
done on bases of favouritism and nepotism rather than qualification or
excellence and productivity. This development breeds poor outcomes as it
pertains to the SDGs implementation.

8. GENERAL CHALLENGES FACING
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGs IN
NIGERIA AND MOST PARTS OF
AFRICA

9. POOR FUNDING/INVESTMENT BY GOVERNMENT

10. Majority of our African leaders have developed an appetite for conspicuous
consumption, self and materialism even at the expense of the wellbeing of their
citizenry.
CORRUPTION
Nigeria most times is only on paper when it comes to fundamentals such as the
SDG's implementation. Even monies which come to the country in form of aids
or foreign intervention funds are not being used for their original purpose as
they are often diverted by unscrupulous leaders in government.

11. POOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS
A very good example in this regard, and a cardinal issue that must be
addressed if we desire progress is the challenge with electricity. The
electricity instability is a major bane on the progress of Nigeria as it
affects every sector of the economy adversely.

12. POOR AWARENESS PROGRAMS
ON THE SDGs.
The word SDGs, is no doubt still very strange to many Africans today
as they neither have heard about it nor understand how it works.
There is need for radical awareness campaign programs targeted at
sensitizing the teaming population of Africans on the 17 points
agenda SDGs, its gains and its implementation. This will enable the
populace to be aware and align themselves with relevant programs
of the SDGs.

13. BAD GOVERNMENT POLICIES
Some government policies are quite hostile or inimical to the
development of the SDGs in Africa. Such policies should be identified
and jettisoned for relative progress to be recorded as regards
implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria and Africa at large.

14. POOR IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
It is worrisome that 4 years into the implementation of the SDGs, so much is still
left to be desired. "Doing things the way it has been done and expecting a change
is the best way to define foolishness" in the Words of Zig Ziglar.
Until we reinvent a new implementation strategy or approach to the SDGs, the
result would not be far fetched from that of the MDGs.

15. INTRODUCING THE NEW MODEL USING
UPYA/ACLEVS MOBILE EMPOWERMENT TRAIN
AS A CASE STUDY
www.upyaaclevs.org

16. ABOUT UPYA/ACLEVS
UPYA, is a registered non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting social
entrepreneurship, social protection, poverty eradication, global peace, youth cum
women empowerment and community development through awareness programs, job
creation, leadership, vocational and entrepreneurship education. It has been in existence
since 2001 but was officially registered in 2011 as a trustee with the Corporate Affairs
Commission (CAC), Nigeria. African Centre for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and
Vocational Studies is a subsidiary of UPYA designed to drive its vocational and leadership
vision across Africa and globally.

17. WHAT WE DO
Our programs are basically tailored at CAPACITY building, SOCIAL PROTECTION, SCHOLARSHIP
opportunities, especially for the poor, less privileged and vulnerable with a view to strengthening
global peace, unity, economic growth and development across Niger Delta, Nigeria and Africa
through realistic human capital development and youth empowerment via:
African Centre for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Vocational (skills) Studies (ACLEVS): provides
scholarship platform for youths and women to be trained in relevant vocations. This training
enhances their drive for financial independence as it gives them relative edge in areas of self
employment or access to job opportunities;

18. UPYA/ACLEVS MOBILE TRAIN
UPYA/ACLEVS Mobile Empowerment Train: Takes relevant skill acquisition programs to various
villages and communities where large numbers of youths and women are trained on scholarship.
Through this initiative, over 12,000 youths and women have been trained in over 32 communities
in various vocations such as: Catering, ICT, Barbing, GSM/Laptop Repairs, Bead making, Shoe and
Bag Production, Fashion and Design, Welding and Fabrication, Hair Dressing, Carpentry and wood
processing, Production (paint, olive oil, insecticide, Vaseline, Shampoo, Perfumes etc) and many
more. Here, we do not only impact trainees with skills alone but also basic entrepreneurial
knowledge to enable them establish small scale businesses and manage them effectively.
Under this initiative, we have an annual target of not less than 5000 youths and women in this
regard. And by our projection, we hope to have trained a total of 30,000 youths and women in
relevant vocations as well as establish a minimum of 12,000 small and medium scale enterprises by
year 2023.
Our TV and Radio Programs/monthly seminars and workshops: creates sound awareness targeted
at positive paradigm shift and mental reorientation.
Our Catch Them Young program: targeted specifically at providing positive focus and direction
through effective mentorship, career guidance and counselling for primary, secondary and college
students. The main objective of this program is to build the next generational leaders. So far, this
program has reached out to over 300,000 school children both primary and secondary.

19. MOBILE TRAINING IN DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS

24. GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE COMPUTER INSTITUTE

26. CATCH THEM YOUNG OUTREACHES TO SCHOOLS

28. URHOBO CHALLENGE QUIZ COMPETITION

29. SDGs AND THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF
PETROLEUM RESOURCES (FUPRE) VOCATIONAL
AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER

30. The Federal University of Petroleum Resources (Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria) early last year invited a
group of vocational consultants to discuss strategic implementation plan for the SDGs using vocational
education.
My presentation was outstanding and excellent that the University management found me worthy of
setting up and managing a skill acquisition centre for the University. On that note, based on my
experience, I was appointed a lecturer as well as the Director of the vocational centre.
Today, we currently have the following vocational courses in the centre with over a hundred pioneer
students:
 Catering and Hotel Management;
 Tailoring and Fashion Design;
 Leather Works Department (train students on shoe, belt and bags production);
 GSM and Laptop Repairs
 ICT (Professional);
 Auto Mobile Mechanic;
 Welding and Fabrication;
 Aquaculture (Integrated Fish Farming)
 Make Up/Cosmetology
 Bead making
 Event planning and Interior decor.

31. Note: In addition to the various vocations, students are treated to the following compulsory
General Studies courses to give them effective paradigm shift and necessary entrepreneurial skills
to enable them transform their acquired skills into wealth creation. Below are the GST Courses:
 Innovation for Sustainable Development
 Entrepreneurship and Business Development
 Building Enduring Family Businesses
 Business Without Capital
 Starting Small
 Safety and Self Management
In less than a year, the FUPRE Vocational and Entrepreneurship Centre has made a good name for
itself amongst notable vocational centres as it was rated by the GMD of NNPC as one of the best
ever in Nigeria. This observation was made 2 weeks ago when the Group Managing Director of
NNPC, Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru, visited the fastest growing skill acquisition centre.

32. THE NEW APPROACH
• I propose that the SDGs be developed into a course in the GST department of all higher institutions
so students can start taking them as compulsory courses. This is exactly what we have done in
FUPRE Vocational and Entrepreneurship Centre and it's very exciting to the students.
• I also propose that passion be used as a determinant factor in the implementation of the SDGs.
• There should be an established parameter or standard for evaluations and feed back. That is the only
way we can ascertain whether we are making progress or not in this regard.
• Every government should be encouraged to develop a database system that would enable the
principal SDGs operators monitor progress of the vision at every point in time.
• A radical awareness and sensitisation on the working of the SDGs should be carried across
governments of various countries and amongst their citizenry. This would help all and sundry to see
the big picture and enable them align with it.
• Effective Public Private Partnership should be encouraged. I urge various non governmental
organisations as well as governments across the world to channel their energies in building public
private partnerships. But in doing this, most importantly, they should develop strategies to enable
them locate honest and active NGOs so they won't entrust their monies in the wrong hands. One of
the best methodology for ascertaining worthy NGOs is through physical evidence or results.

33. SOME OF OUR UNIQUE SELLING POINTS
• We do not only give our trainees skills but also impact in them basic entrepreneurial skills to enable
them self convert skills to wealth by so doing, encourage the growth of small and medium scale
enterprises while contributing to national development.
• Students are trained in line with their passion. We were once in an era of, "stop giving me fish,
teach me how to fish". But we are now in an era of ," before teaching a man how to fish, find out if
he would be interested in fishing because if you train a man who is not interested in fishing how to
fish, it would be an effort t in futility“. So, we derive their skills from their respective passion.
Note: This is one of the cardinal areas government and many other vocational institutions get it
wrong.
Because we are interested in the final products, after training, we help those who are willing to start
their own business achieve their dreams by guiding them to start their businesses. Whereas those
who are bent on taking to paid jobs , we inject their names in our job solution database with a view
to engaging them when the need arises.

34. CHALLENGES AND PROSPECT FACING
UPYA/ACLEVS
• The major challenge facing our programs is that of funding and partnerships.
We have a plan to build an International Youth/Women Development Center in Nigeria which would serve as a
training ground for implementation of part of the SDGs. Here, youths and women would be trained on relevant
vocations in line with their passion. Key areas of focus here would be on Leadership and the SDGs.
We need a bigger bus for the Mobile Empowerment Train Operation. The current 14 sitter Toyota Hiace bus has
become far too small for the TRAIN operation. We would need either Coaster buses or Luxurious buses in this
regard to enable us fully incorporate the entire 21 courses (Skills) of the Train as we storm towns and villages of
Nigeria and Africa.
• EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ACROSS COUNTRIES/CONTINENTS
 We need veritable partnerships that would bring about effective exchange programs between our programs
operators, students and that of other regions. This will no doubt created room for sharing of new knowledge and
experiences that would further stimulate growth and development.

35. Marcus F. Ekure,
Director, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Center,
Federal University of Petroleum Resources,
Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria.
Also the President and Founder of UPYA Foundation and The Country Director of
African Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Vocational Studies (ACLEVS)
+234 806 372 6664
www.marcusekure.com
www.upyaaclevs.org
Twitter: @marcusekure