Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for bold and practical global actions to combat climate change, warning that the crisis cannot be solved through rhetoric or boardroom deliberations alone.
Speaking on Friday in Addis Ababa during the official launch of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI), Shettima said nations must respond to their unique environmental challenges with decisive and tailored interventions.
He praised Ethiopia’s ambitious plan to plant 20 billion trees in four years, describing it as a bold, visionary step towards environmental regeneration, climate resilience, and economic empowerment through green jobs.
“This is not a challenge we can solve in a conference room,” Shettima said. “It is a danger that demands real, practical action. Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is one such response, an inspiring blueprint to reimagine the future. The numbers are staggering, but the impact is even more compelling.”
He lauded the establishment of over 20,000 nurseries and the creation of hundreds of thousands of green jobs under the programme, adding that such vision underscores a commitment to securing a future that is green, inclusive, and sustainable.
Shettima, who is on an official visit to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s solidarity with Ethiopia, emphasising the shared responsibility of both countries as Africa’s most populous nations.
“Ethiopia and Nigeria carry the largest demographic weight in Africa. This is not just a statistic; it is a responsibility. Our populations are most vulnerable to the climate crisis, and the cost of inaction will be heaviest on us. That is why we must lead from the front,” he declared.
The Vice President pledged Nigeria’s unwavering support for the Green Legacy Initiative, affirming the country’s readiness to collaborate with like-minded nations to safeguard the environment.
“This is the promise we renew at every COP summit,” Shettima said. “But today, we go beyond promises. We are here to celebrate a living example of action, Ethiopia’s vision that the rest of us must embrace and adapt.”
He also expressed gratitude to the government and people of Ethiopia for the warm reception, stating that the Nigerian delegation felt at home, not just due to the hospitality, but also because of the shared dream of bequeathing a livable planet to future generations.
In his address, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged African nations to make the Green Legacy vision a continental culture, emphasising the importance of local solutions over foreign aid.
“We launched our 20 billion tree planting initiative without external funding. This year’s theme, Rise by Planting, captures our resolve. We thank Nigeria for standing with us. With its population and economic influence, Nigeria is well-positioned to lead this green movement across Africa,” the Prime Minister said.
He further noted that with Ethiopia set to host the next United Nations Climate Change Summit, the continent has a critical opportunity to rally around a shared green agenda.
Earlier, Vice President Shettima toured Ethiopia’s Unity Park, Science Museum, and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, key landmarks celebrating the nation’s rich history and transformative strides.
