Vice President Kashim Shettima has affirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to unlock the socio-economic potentials of Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites.
To achieve this, Shettima said that the Nigerian government’s “doors are open for collaboration” with relevant stakeholders, particularly the sub-national governments.
The Vice President said this in Abuja when he received a delegation from UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, (IGGP), Nigeria National Committee (NNC) led by its chairman, Dr Aminu Isyaku, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.
He noted that “it is better late than never” to explore the economic and developmental benefits of geo-heritage sites for the betterment of the nation.
Stating that the Tinubu administration is repositioning Nigeria, the VP said, “we have changed the narrative in all spheres of our national life whether social, economic, cultural, sports, agriculture, education, international diplomacy.”
He commended the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, for their respective roles in preserving Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites.
“I want to acknowledge the UNESCO IGGP’s alignment with our Renewed Hope Agenda and also recognise your committee’s objective in promoting sustainable geo-science development themes under climate change, hydro-geology, geo-hazards, geo-dynamics and geo-heritage,” Shettima explained.
He encouraged the team to expand its geoscience coverage across Nigeria’s geo-political zones, assuring the delegation of sustained support for the committee’s activities.
The VP further said; “there are a lot of economic and development benefits of geo-heritage – jobs, sustainable tourism and of course, peace in host communities and international research funding.
“This country is a blessed country, hence, all hands must be on deck to make it work. I urge you to come on board, let us work as a team to reposition this country.”
Dr Ishiaku sought the support of the Nigerian Government in actualising the committee’s task of developing a comprehensive inventory of Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites; mapping of all heritage sites, and the completion of all ongoing geo-science projects across the country.
He said “the establishment of a national committee for Nigeria, 50 years after the establishment of the global body, has firmly placed the country within the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) framework.”
Dr Ishiaku told the VP that the committee is aligning itself with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in ensuring climate resilience, among other goals, promising to raise public awareness on the benefits of geosciences.
Hauwa Abu