President Bola Tinubu has warned world leaders at the ongoing 78 United Nations General Assembly edition that fighting climate change in Nigeria and Africa must be done within its own terms.
President Tinubu said this on Wednesday while addressing 107 world leaders attending the UNGA event in New York USA.
He said climate change in Nigeria has affected the country in several forms in which the rain kills and displaces multitudes.
Therefore, he said to achieve the goal of fighting the problem of climate change and needed popular consensus, this campaign must accord with overall economic efforts in Africa at large.
He said, “Climate change severely impacts Nigeria and Africa. Northern Nigeria is hounded by desert encroachment on arable land. Our south is pounded by the rising tide of coastal flooding and erosion. In the middle, the rainy season brings floods that kill and displace multitudes.
The president also extended his condolences to Morocco and Libya who are currently battling with cases of excessive flooding which has resulted in the loss of lives.
“As I lament deaths at home, I also lament the grave loss of life in Morocco and Libya. The Nigerian people are with you.
“African nations will fight climate change but must do so on our own terms. To achieve the needed popular consensus, this campaign must accord with overall economic efforts. Tinubu said
He further promised that Nigeria will forge a political consensus by emphasising corrective measures that also advance economic good through involvement in initiatives like building a Green Wall to prevent desert expansion, stopping the destruction of our forests by the mass production and distribution of gas stoves.
“In Nigeria, we shall build political consensus by highlighting remedial actions which also promote economic good.
“Projects such as a Green Wall to stop desert encroachment, halting the destruction of our forests by mass production and distribution of gas burning stoves, and providing employment in local water management and irrigation projects are examples of efforts that equally advance both economic and climate change objectives.
“Continental efforts regarding climate change will register important victories if established economies were more forthcoming with public and private sector investment for Africa’s preferred initiatives.
“Again, this would go far in demonstrating that global solidarity is real and working.
