DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, hosted COP28 following the commitment shown at Sharm el-Sheikh. The seamless organization of the conference should be applauded, with no lapses in transportation, security, accreditation, sessions, and warm reception by the people of Dubai.
Countries like South Africa, Rwanda, and India came prepared, showcasing their progress in sustainable solutions to the global climate change problem through eco-friendly innovations in their respective pavilions. Nigeria, which prides itself as the giant of Africa and a leader in technological innovation, fell short in this regard. Despite having a larger and more robust contingent than its counterparts, Nigeria had little to show, making their participation seem more like a jamboree than a serious conference.
As long as our contingents to such conferences who are supposed to drive these policies back home do not change their mindset and get serious like other nations of the world, we will remain spectators whose only job is to waste taxpayer’s money without adding any value. It is no wonder there is policy inconsistencies as all government policies in energy, agriculture, education, science and technology are at cross purposes with the National Policy on Climate Change and the several global protocols on climate change.
It is with justified scepticism that I doubt if our leaders have learnt anything as there may not be any difference in Dubai UNITED ARAB EMIRATE for Conference of the Parties (COP), the 28 editions. It is only time that will tell if the lessons learnt in Dubai will propel a radical change in Nigeria so that we become truly involved like other nations through the exploration of quick wins that will help us to access global funding’s to develop renewable energy solutions that will be showcased to the rest of the world. We either put serious effort or be left behind by the rest of the world.
By Kazeem Adeleke
Picture by Alfred
About The Author
