Nigeria and the United States have renewed their commitment to work together on many global issues, especially on Climate Change and Energy transition towards net-zero emissions.
This emerged on Friday at the White House after a meeting between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his American counterpart, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Responding to remarks by Vice President Harris, Professor Osinbajo noted that collaboration between the two countries has become imperative in the face of current global challenges.
He said; “We very strongly believe that we (Nigeria and US) in the coming years, will need to work together again on so many global challenges that are varied, and they come up very frequently now from promoting peace and security, to tackling global health issues and climate change and of course, economic adversity.”
On Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, Professor Osinbajo said “the Plan is important for us because we see especially, the climate crisis as two existential issues; one is the crisis itself, second the energy poverty which is an issue for us in our part of the world.
“So, while we look forward to the 2060 carbon neutrality goal, we are also hoping that even within a shorter period by 2030 we will deal with the issue of energy poverty.
“We look forward to the coming years and months for even greater collaboration and stronger ties between our countries to create a fairer, more prosperous, and perhaps a greener, also freer nation and nations and the world.”
Commendation
He commended the US for its innovative approach to addressing Climate Change.
Professor Osinbajo said; “I must also congratulate you because of the Inflation Reduction Act and again, in particular, this is historic especially for those of us who are paying attention to all the issues of Climate Change.”
Speaking further on America’s leadership role in Climate Change, Professor Osinbajo noted the “United States leadership in the area of Climate Change and we are all excited to queue behind the US and see that we get many of these objectives.”
The Vice President told his counterpart that Nigeria’s recently launched Energy Transition Plan, ETP. This was launched just last week and it is the country’s master plan for addressing the issues of climate crisis and energy poverty.
VP Osinbajo said Nigeria would require investment support towards the implementation of the Energy Transition Plan, referring to his earlier meetings in the past few days in the US Capital at the World Bank Group, the US Treasury, and the US Agency for International Development, USAID.
Professor Osinbajo said Nigeria was seeking the support of global agencies like the World Bank and USAID for the Energy Transition Plan.
“The Treasury Secretary yesterday also. And they have all been positive and shown indication that they will be very helpful,” he stated.
Vice President Osinbajo also took time to laud the long-standing cordial relations between Nigeria and US.
The American Vice President welcomed Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, describing Vice President Osinbajo as an extraordinary leader.
Harris had expressed her hope about Nigeria’s ability to achieve the ambitious goals laid out in the Energy Transition plan.
She said; “I congratulate you for your example on your Energy Transition Plan which I know pledges carbon neutral energy by 2060, an ambitious goal but important and by your leadership, I have no question that they will be achieved.”
Referencing the global advocacy of Professor Osinbajo on the issue of a just energy transition, Harris observed that her Nigerian counterpart has “been an extraordinary leader on this issue.
She said; “I noticed this is something you feel very strongly about and you have been very adamant about the role Nigeria is playing in addressing this crisis that faces us all.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
