The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative programmes and strategic partnerships.
Speaking at the 2025 SDGs Short Film Challenge and Awards dinner in Abuja, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo, highlighted the state’s progress in aligning development initiatives with global sustainability targets.
The event, organised in collaboration with the United Nations and other stakeholders, provided a platform to showcase creativity and storytelling around the SDGs.
Mrs. Okpebholo revealed that more than 3,000 rural women have benefitted from empowerment programmes covering clean energy, agriculture, healthcare, education, and creative training. She cited the distribution of clean stoves under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) as a recent project designed to improve living conditions and reduce environmental hazards.
“I believe impact must begin with the rural woman. We have invested in education for the girl child and empowerment for women—financially, mentally, and in health. Our vision is about building the total woman who can contribute meaningfully to her community,” she said.
The Edo First Lady also announced a strategic partnership with a German film academy to strengthen the state’s creative economy. The collaboration will provide emerging filmmakers with world-class training, modern production techniques, and access to advanced equipment.
She stressed that Edo would continue to support film industry practitioners, particularly those producing works that promote SDG themes and inspire social change. Through her foundation, the Better Life and Care Foundation, Mrs. Okpebholo has championed initiatives that empower women and girls to pursue their dreams and become pillars of their communities.
Mrs. Okpebholo emphasized that achieving the SDGs requires collective effort, not just government action. She urged filmmakers to use their creativity as a force for good, shaping narratives that inspire communities and drive sustainable progress.
“Our vision is clear—a future where every child, every community, thrives in a safe, sustainable, and prosperous environment,” she said.
Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Olu of Warri, also addressed the gathering, describing filmmakers as “sustainable change agents” with the power to humanize global goals. She called on governments and development agencies to invest in storytelling as a means of accelerating SDG implementation.
“With these films, you have given big global goals human faces, turning them into practical pathways for ordinary people to understand and drive change,” she noted.
The event climaxed with awards of excellence in SDG implementation presented to Mrs. Okpebholo and Olori Ivie Atuwatse III. Cash prizes and recognitions were also given to winners in categories such as Best Indigenous Film and Best Animation, all focused on SDG themes.
The SDG Short Film Challenge continues to serve as a national platform for emerging Nigerian filmmakers to showcase compelling stories that highlight community actions, policy impacts, and local innovations driving progress toward sustainable development.