Shettima urges African nations to unite against climate change

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged African nations to unite in addressing climate change and social impact challenges facing the continent.

The Spokesperson of the Vice-President, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, said in a statement that Shettima made the call on Thursday at the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2024 held in Lagos.

He stated that the vice-president was represented by Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Special Adviser to the President on Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment.

Shettima, who stressed the need for collaboration among African leaders, also urged them to work toward developing sustainable practices and protecting the ecosystem.

This, according to him, will secure a greener future and springboard for the continent’s overall development in the face of existential climate realities.

He added that “the brunt of climate change that Africa faces can only be mitigated if we stand together.”

Shettima, who noted that climate change is an existential issue, described it as “the elephant in every social impact room.”

He emphasised the need for joint efforts in climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as technological innovation in the agriculture and energy sectors.

He also stressed the importance of investing in quality education and skills development across the continent, calling for collaborative efforts to improve healthcare systems in African nations.

He explained that “whatever blueprints we promote must focus on innovation. That is the compass of social impact.”

He urged African nations to empower local innovators, invest in research and create ecosystems that foster ground-breaking solutions to deliver maximum social impact.

He emphasised that from agricultural to energy solutions, harnessing technology and creativity are crucial for saving today and preparing for tomorrow.

“We may gather in meeting rooms and conferences to philosophise about changing our world, but the truth remains that we can never guarantee social impact without an educated society,” he added.

The vice-president, therefore, called for investments in quality education, vocational training and lifelong learning, reiterating the need to equip African youths with relevant skills for the digital age.

He described education as “the bridge to a system that works” and “the secret ingredient of every development”, and commended Lagos as a model for successful urban development and public-private partnerships.

He noted that “Lagos is a template for the synergy of private and public sectors to build a system that works.”

Shettima called for a unified approach to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that “only as a unified front can we create an all-inclusive approach to achieving the SDGs and deliver social impact across the board.”