Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on world leaders to move beyond conferences and embrace practical, country-specific solutions in the global fight against climate change.
Speaking on Friday at the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) in Addis Ababa, Mr Shettima stressed that tackling climate change requires bold and decisive action, not just dialogue.
“We have long accepted that climate change is not a problem to be solved in a conference room; it is a danger we must arrest with practical actions, with each nation rising to the occasion by responding to the peculiarities of the ecological burdens they face,” Mr Shettima said.
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He praised Ethiopia’s commitment to climate action through the GLI, which targets the planting of 20 billion tree seedlings over four years to combat deforestation, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate climate change impacts.
Mr Shettima, who is on an official visit to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, described the initiative as an inspiring model of vision, purpose, and courage.
“To plant 20 billion seedlings within four years, to establish over 20,000 nurseries, and to create hundreds of thousands of green jobs is to show that the future is something we must plant, nurture, and build,” he said.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s solidarity with Ethiopia, stressing that the two most populous countries in Africa share a significant responsibility to lead the continent’s climate agenda.
“Ethiopia and Nigeria are the two most populous countries in Africa. This distinction is not just statistical; it is existential. It means we have the largest stake in Africa’s future. It means that more of our people are exposed to the peril of climate change, and it also means that we face the highest cost of inaction,” he said.
Mr Shettima assured Ethiopia of Nigeria’s continued support and emphasised that both nations are committed to keeping Africa green.
However, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed commended Nigeria for embracing the green vision and urged African countries to make tree planting a cultural and national priority.
He emphasised the need for African-led solutions and reduced dependence on foreign aid.
“This year’s Green Legacy is to rise by planting. We never received any aid when we set out to achieve our 20 billion tree planting initiative,” he said.
The Prime Minister also expressed optimism that Ethiopia’s hosting of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Summit would further galvanise the continent’s green revolution.
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During his visit, Mr Shettima also toured Unity Park, the Science Museum, and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, which highlight Ethiopia’s cultural and historical milestones.
The event was part of Mr Shettima’s official visit to Ethiopia on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
