Nigerian activist among 12 ambassadors for global SDGs campaign

Abideen Olasupo, executive director, Brain Builders International (BBI), a non-governmental organisation, is the only Nigerian among the 12 global ambassadors for Youth Power Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) campaign initiative.

The initiative, organised by Restless Development, UK, seeks to bring youth activists together to call for support in achieving the SDGs.

Other ambassadors of the initiative are from the US, Mexico, Philippines, UK, Lebanon, Kenya, Ghana, France, India, Cameroon and Barbados.

In a statement, organisers of the initiative said the campaign was borne out of the need to accelerate the achievement of the global goals or SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015.

“We have made progress but nowhere near enough. We are running out of time. Young people stand ready, and united, to take the lead in making the Global Goals a reality,” the statement read.

“As the youth-led climate strikes have shown, collective action from young people is already changing things for the better. Young people are fighting FOR fairness, justice, and the environment. They are fighting AGAINST inequality, persecution and climate change.

“They (the advocates) will be instrumental in organising the biggest youth generation in history to make the world a better place. They will provide technical advocacy and campaigning support, establish systems of learning and collaboration as well as funding, resourcing and amplifying grassroots youth-led campaigns all over the world.”

Olasupo, a local and international multiple award-winning advocate, is known for his engagement in youth advocacy, holding government accountable, climate action and social research.

With over eight years of experience advocating for social change, the entrepreneur has influenced policy-making and good governance through the works of his organisation.

He is also one of the ten goalkeeper steering committee members working worth CIVICUS and Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation to give over $870,000 grant to start up with SDGs target.

BBI has also translated the SDGs into major local languages in Nigeria and Arabic, for which it won “Digital Leaders Award for Not-for-profit Organization of the Year” in 2019.

Olasupo’s organisation also has a community of volunteers and ambassadors across tertiary institutions.