The President, Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association, Nigeria, Dr. Abiola Adimula, said the association had joined the globe to celebrate the Commonwealth Day 2020 to transform Commonwealth countries.
The President made this known in a statement obtained on Monday in Lagos to commemorate the Commonwealth Day on March 9.
Adimula said the theme for the 2020 Commonwealth Day is: “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.”
According to her, the theme was chosen because the governments and people of the diverse family of 54 Commonwealth countries connect at many levels through extensive and deep-rooted networks of friendship and goodwill.
She said the 53 Commonwealth countries, with diverse backgrounds, are united in order to enjoy certain privileges, adding that to achieve this, old links and new ties were forged to CONNECT these member countries with over 2.4 billion people through a common charter.
The statement said: “The overall objective is to achieve economic and political cooperation; to promote meaningful and orderly relationship among member countries, some principles known as ‘Commonwealth Shared Values’ have been developed.
“These values include: Protection of Natural Resources and environment Agenda for Trade and Investment Recognition of the Needs of Small and Vulnerable States Propagation of Democracy and its Principles Promotion of Health and Education and more.
“Furthermore, Six critical points worthy of mentioning, which relate to connectivity in trade and investment include: Physical Connectivity, Digital Connectivity, Regulatory Connectivity Business.
“Business Connectivity Supply Connectivity Inclusive and Sustainable Trade to Ensure Main-Streaming of Women and Youth in Economics Empowerment.
“The countries and people of the Commonwealth tackle climate change and its impacts. Working to find sustainable ways of using the natural resources of our planet, its land and ocean, so that our environment is protected.”
Adimula said COSFAN is a body consisting of eminent Nigerians, who had enjoyed the sponsorship of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, United Kingdom through the British Council in Nigeria in their respective postgraduate academic pursuits and/or career enhancement from 1960 to date.
The COSFAN President said the main objective of the association was promoting and advancing education, especially in tertiary institutions, in order to create awareness and an informed society of Nigeria.
Adimula said over 2,000 Nigerians had benefitted from the UK scholarship and fellowship training, adding that their programmes and activities were targeted towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in six thematic areas focus of Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
She said that COSFAN engaged Universities in Nigeria in mentorship programmes, training young researchers and students on accessing Commonwealth scholarship and fellowship awards.
She added that in 2019, in pursuit of access, inclusion and opportunity for persons living with disabilities, COSFAN produced 5,000 copies of simplified version of Lagos State Special People’s Law (2010).
Adimula said 5,000 copies of the simplified version of people law were shared freely to the public through the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development and Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, among other community interventions.
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