Foreign news
Memories of CHOGM 2024: NTAC DG Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment To Safer Environment
….Says Nigeria Leading in the Role to Combat Climate Crisis in Africa and Beyond,Urges Other Nations to Follow the Nigeria’s Examples
Joel Ajayi
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corp, Rt. Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub has said that Nigeria’s various leading roles across Africa to combat climate crisis are deliberately intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ,expand renewable energy initiatives as well as promote reforestation.
The DG,who reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a safer globe when he spoke at the last Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, said the above actions by Nigeria were part of its Nationally Determined Contributions(NDCs) in advancing climate resilience in Africa and beyond,while urging them to do the same.
The NTAC boss,who stood in for Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs,Amb.Yusuf Tuggar,at a session on Climate change organized on the sidelines of the CHOGM, emphasized Nigeria’s strong commitment to combating climate change in line with its obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
While emphasising the importance of efforts to tackle climate crisis, particularly in support of vulnerable nations, including small Islands and developing States like Samoa, Buba said the gathering was a call to action for nations to re-commit to practices that make for a safer world.
The NTAC DG, also spotlighted the significant work being driven by Nigerian professionals deployed under the Technical Aid Corps(TAC) Scheme to support environmental conservation, renewable energy projects and disaster management in various African,Caribbean and Pacific countries where they are currently serving.He added that such novel and unique efforts, as using banana peels to make paints and encouraging other eco-green practices in farming, waste treatment and disposal by the Nigerian Volunteers,were not only at the heart of the efforts for a safer environment and sustainable agriculture, but also one of the greatest promotions of the United Nations’ South-South Co-operation ideals.
To further reinforce his point,the former federal lawmaker also stressed the need for nations of the world to unite to address climate change, while suing for increased resource-sharing, including the provision of financial and technical support for countries most affected by climate-related disasters.
Buba also used the occasion to call on leaders across the world to strive to strengthen partnerships between governments and the private sector in order to enhance climate adaptation projects.He
told the high-level meeting of Nigeria’s efforts in involving private entities in clean energy development and sustainable agriculture, again urging them to learn from that.
He equally reiterated Nigeria’s successes at combating desertification and informed of the readiness of the country to share its expertise with other Commonwealth nations through effective collaboration and other well-structured knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The high-level meeting held at the Sheraton Hotel Samoa brought together leaders and representatives of Commonwealth nations to address the global challenges posed by climate change,while exploring collaborative solutions to the menace.
It also provided the NTAC DG the opportunity to network and renew necessary ties with various officials of governments from across the Pacific region, including Vanuatu,Fiji and other Island nations with a history of subscribing to the Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps Scheme over the past years.
Foreign news
California Transport Agency Seeks Partnership With NiDCOM On Creative Arts, Others
California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) on Friday sought the partnership with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on creative arts, climate change, green jobs, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion and technology industries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a three-man CalSTA delegation led by its Secretary, Mr Toks Omishakin, said this while paying a courtesy visit to Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, in Abuja.Omishakin said that CalSTA was one of the global largest agencies that had leading policies around the world in relations to climate change.
He added that for the last 40 to 50 years, the agency had engaged governments around the world to establish policies with better outcomes and impacts for the environment, including climate change.
According to him, Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and for many years, the country has led African continent with her broad economy.
“So, very rarely that California engages countries in Africa, most of our agreements are with countries in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.
“California does not have any agreement with countries in Africa when it comes to improving green jobs related to climate change .
“This visit is about how we can potentially set up a California-Nigerian partnership that is specifically addressing issues around climate change, green jobs, technology, creative arts and CNG conversion, these are the areas we want to specifically concentrate on.
“For instance, the creative arts industry all around the world, people know the industry that you call Nollywood, and Afro-beats more than ever.
“In addition, when it comes to United States of America’s creative industry like Hollywood, where a lot of film production happens, movies are made, TV shows are filmed just few miles way from Los Angeles.
“But when it comes to music like the Grammys and award shows for musicians across the world, it is held in Los Angeles, in the State of California.“Furthermore, when it comes to music in Africa. Nigeria is the epic centre for both music industry and movie industry and it’s the same thing for California, so there’s potential for partnership”, Omishakin said.
Responding, Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of NiDCOM expressed appreciation for the visit led by Omishakin, a Nigerian-American who made Nigeria and the United States proud.
According to her, Nigerians are the best anywhere in the world and Omishakin is an example of Nigerians who are excelling in different fields all around the world.
“We are glad to welcome you home and we are glad that you’re talking business , and how California will be investing in Africa and Nigeria specifically.
“On your visit, you will see a lot of sectors where there can be more partnership with Nigeria.
“Also, part of your visit and tour, you will be meeting with the Transportation Minister and you will see one of the CNG conversion centres at the SMEDAN office, and also you will see products that are made in Nigeria that can be exported to California.
“Most importantly, we look forward to the partnership, bearing in mind that Nigeria is the biggest on the continent”, NiDCOM boss said.
She expressed optimism that in spite of the challenges facing Nigeria, the country would grow economically under President Bola Tinubu Administration.
The NiDCOM boss, who said that the President’s agenda was to build a one trillion economy, added that Nigerians needed to believe in government and themselves as well.
NAN reports that members of CalSTA delegation, who paid the courtesy visit included Mr Aditya Ramji, a Professor from the University of California, and Mr Giles Giovinazzi, Senior Advisor for CalSTA.
NAN
-
Featured5 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured5 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured5 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured3 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports2 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
Featured5 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
-
News1 year agoJubilation In Kaduna As Tribunal Upholds Ekene Adam Winner Of Reps Election
