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The Federal Government of Nigeria has affirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.
The Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council (NEC) and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, said this in an interview with newsmen, in Belem, Brazil.
El-Rufai, who gave a recap of the Vice President Kashim Shettima’s participation in COP30 in Brazil, said Nigeria would use its influence to mobilise finance for the country.
She also said that Nigeria would canvass for the adaptation finance for African nations in order to collectively tackle the challenges of climate change.
“One thing that I know the whole world would look out for is Nigeria’s leadership in Africa. So we do have our influence in the regional ECOWAS and also at AU platforms to demonstrate that we are that big brother.
“So, we must galvanize all stakeholders, both in public and private sectors, to make sure we implement our National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and make it work for us,” she said.
The presidential aide added that Nigeria’s natural resources will also play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
“The natural capital we have – don’t forget that we are an oil-producing nation and endowed with vast natural gas resources and renewables.
“We will also continue to use that to implement the NDCs in a way that works for us and addresses the sustainable development challenges that we are facing,” El-Rufai added.
She stated that nature and climate are the very home that makes Nigerian economy thrive and also ” gives us the stability to live good lives. So, we are dependent on nature.
“That is why how you consume and use the natural resources is important to ensuring sustainability of livelihoods, economies and everything.
“So, this why we need to live our lives responsibly and also leave a better future for generations to come.
“The government led by President Bola Tinubu is concentrating on resilience and ensuring that there is long term shared value creation.
“The government will continue to prioritise climate and nature as well as ensuring that we lead on the necessary climate policies,” she added.
She said that many countries were yet to submit their NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
El-Rufai, therefore, urged them to emulate Nigeria and praised Nigeria for taking the lead.
“There are many countries that haven’t submitted their NDCs yet, but Nigeria has. China and EU just submitted.
“So, you can see we are leading because we also have our Climate Change Act as well as our carbon market framework in place, and that is why the theme for COP 30 is apt: COP of Action and Implementation.
“This COP Presidency said they are not creating anything new; rather, let world leaders seat and operationalise NDCs.
“And make sure all those climate-related finance pledges made at Baku that were brought down from $1.3 trillion to $300 billion come to a reality,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Shettima, has departed Belem, Brazil, for Abuja after a successful diplomatic engagement in the South American country.
Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the 30th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
The conference was convened by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with the United Nations and other global partners.
During the international engagement, VP Shettima joined other world leaders, development partners and business executives at the Leaders’ Climate Summit – COP30.
He delivered a speech on Nigeria’s effort in addressing climate change, saying the nation’s renewed climate agenda represents “not just an aspiration, but a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”
Shettima also represented Tinubu at a high-level thematic session titled, “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” on the margins of COP30, where he delivered Nigeria’s bold statement.
By Salisu Sani-Idris
