Vice President Kashim Shettima has made a passionate appeal to African nations to join forces in tackling the continent’s pressing climate change and social impact challenges.
He urged leaders to adopt sustainable practices and safeguard ecosystems, paving the way for a greener future and driving overall development and progress in the face of daunting climate realities.
Addressing the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2024 in Lagos, Vice President Shettima emphasised the critical need for collective action, as highlighted in a statement released by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha. He stressed that the time for collaborative effort is now, as the continent confronts the existential threat of climate change.
“The brunt of climate change that Africa faces can only be mitigated if we stand together,” said the VP who delivered the keynote address.
Noting that climate change is an existential issue, Senator Shettima described it as “the elephant in every social impact room.”
The vice president emphasised the need for joint efforts in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and technological innovation in the agriculture and energy sectors.
He also stressed the importance of investing in quality education and skills development across the continent and called for collaborative efforts to improve healthcare systems in African nations.
His words: “Whatever blueprints we promote must focus on innovation. That‘s the compass of social impact.“
The vice president 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 is crucial for saving today and preparing for tomorrow.