Philip Nyam 
Nigeria has outlined various strategic approaches toward the achievement of Agenda 2063 of the African Union (AU).
The country’s propositions were presented by the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and leader of the Nigerian delegation, Benjamin Kalu on Thursday to the ongoing 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in Midrand, South Africa.
Agenda 2063 is a 50-year Africa blueprint and master plan for transforming the continent into the global powerhouse of the future.
Signed in 2013, the agenda is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development.
Speaking at the session, Kalu urged the Parliament to strive to make Agenda 2063 a household name in Africa.
The deputy speaker also underscored the need to adequately fund the project to achieve the desired results.
“I want to commend you for that beautiful presentation. The idea is wonderful, we are pursuing it but we are struggling. We are struggling because of the gaps you have mentioned.
“The issue of financing. You also agreed that financing is an issue with regard to this agenda. So, the question becomes, how do we make it a household project? A household agenda without funds?
“It will be difficult, and you’ve highlighted that we cannot depend on external bodies to be able to push this project, we need to own it, and finance it.
“Will it be a good idea for Africa to look at PPP, Private Public Partnership in raising funds for the fulfilment of the objectives of this agenda? As legislators in our various parliaments, legislating that those who participate especially in infrastructure development that’s in line with this agenda 2063, to incentivize maybe through a tax break for some of them.
“Another one is that it appears to me that there’s a strong overlap between Agenda 2063 and SDGs. I heard you talk about health facilities and the rest of them, which is also one of the agenda of SDGs.
“Are they not overlapping so much if they are and SDGs are taking care of some of these responsibilities, do we not prioritise the ones that are outside the list of SDGs to be able to drive efficiency in a better form?
“With regards to implementation and oversight, how it is being done in various countries, especially in my country where I come from, Nigeria is that SDGs implementation is being executed by the ministry in charge of that and also, the parliament oversights it.
“For us to drive 2063, there’s every reason for people to have the right capacity to drive it. We cannot go to Europe and borrow from people who will help us implement our agenda. To achieve that, what are we doing about the knowledge that’s lacking, the capacity that’s lacking?
“Will it be a wrong proposal for us to say, let’s us establish centres known as centres of excellence across the various regions in Africa where we can build capacities in technology and knowledge so that we’ll be able to own this project”, Kalu proposed.
