Vice President Kashim Shettima has implored African nations to unite to address the continent‘s climate change and social impact challenges.
He called on the continent‘s leaders to develop sustainable practices and protect ecosystems, securing a greener future and springboarding the continent‘s overall development and progress in the face of existential climate realities.
Speaking yesterday during the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2024 in Lagos, VP Shettima, stressed the urgency of the collaborative action in a statement issued by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha.
“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.
“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,“ Shettima stated.
He 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.
The vice president described education as “the bridge to a system that works” and “the secret ingredient of every development.”
