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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Amina Mohammed has lauded the Niger State Government for blazing the trail in harnessing the potentials in green economy in the country.
Mohammed, who gave the commendation at the first Green Economy Summit, hosted by the Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago, in Minna, the state capital, said the days of oil dependent economy are numbered.
Consequently, the UN Deputy Secretary General stated that Nigeria must chart a new course forward by investing in the transition to clean energy from renewable sources. She lauded the Niger State government for launching the green economy blueprint, saying it has great potentials to drive sustainable development in the state and the country at large.
According to her, “So, as we examine opportunities to build green economic pathways, we need to keep in mind that most of the world’s natural resources are in Africa. And in Niger State, you are blessed with an abundance of mineral resources. Niger is uniquely positioned to be one of the first movers to engaging green growth and to become a leader by investing in energy.
“But these must include bold investments into the state’s strongest assets, which are its people. People are not just the key target of development, they are also the agents of its change.
“The days of oil driven energy growth are numbered. While our global progress on meeting the climate emergency is still too slow, the direction of travel is unambiguous. There is no long-term future for oil.
“Globally we need to end our addiction to fossil fuels, while building baseload and expanding access to reliable, clean and affordable energy for everyone. In Nigeria we face a situation where 36 percent of households do not have access to the electricity grid and where we remain almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels for electricity generation.
“Nigeria must set a shift and chart a new way forward that leaves no one behind by investing in the transition to clean energy from renewable sources. Niger has the potential to be the trailblazer on this path. Investing in the green economy would unleash the next great wave of human and sustainable development, particularly for our youths.”
