Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stated that Nigeria and Nordic countries can through collaborative efforts, shared expertise, and exchange of ideas harness the power of innovation to overcome environmental challenges that lie ahead.
Nordic-Nigeria Connect is made up of Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the call at the opening of the Nordic-Nigeria Connect Conference 2023, themed: ‘Innovation for a Greener Future’, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, charged the affected countries to embrace the spirit of innovation that would drive them towards a greener future as they opened the doors to knowledge exchange, networking and collaboration.
This was just as he noted that the conference presented an opportunity for Nigeria to learn from the Nordic countries’ experience, assuring that the conference would explore cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices and collaborative initiatives that can pave the way for a more environmentally conscious future.
According to him, “From renewable energy solutions to waste management innovations, each session will inspire and empower all to take meaningful actions.
“Nordic countries have long been pioneers in sustainable development and innovation, setting benchmarks for the rest of the world and the collaboration between the Nordic countries and Nigeria is a testament to our shared commitment to creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly world,” he said.
Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised that as a government, his administration had laid a firm foundation upon which the state was building collaborations and alliances with the private sector that would allow businesses in like sectors operating in Lagos to key into the new economic trend.
“As we engage in discussion and forge new connections, let us keep in mind, the shared responsibility we bear towards our planet. Our actions today will shape the world that future generations will inherit. By fostering innovation and sustainable practice we can ensure that the legacy we leave behind is one of environmental stewardship and resilience,” the governor said.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Olatunbosun Tijani, in his remark, noted that the Federal Government was committed to opening the country’s economic potential to the world to invest.
The minister, who noted that the country had tremendous untapped opportunities in many sectors of the economy, said Nigeria was open for business and partnerships that would help the nation to grow its economy.
He pointed out that the country was awakening to applying technology and innovation to drive the nation’s economy through various sectoral activities, adding that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hoped to build collaboration that various sectors could leverage on to build the nation’s economy.
Similarly, the Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy of Denmark, Dan Jorgensen, said it was important for the Danish and Nigerian governments to collaborate in finding solutions to environmental challenges, adding that climate change was no longer a far-off threat in the distant future, but already here.
He noted that Nigerians were more knowledgeable than anyone in terms of climate change as, according to him, adding he had been following closely how Nigeria was “already affected by climate change; unpredictable rainfall patterns, drought, water scarcity, floods and coastal erosion, crop failing because of either lack of water or excessive rainfall.”
The Danish minister stressed that his government had an ambition to strengthen engagement with the African continent, to build new partnerships and stronger alliances.
Also speaking, the Deputy Minister for International Trade, Finland, H.E. Mr. Jarno Syrjälä, noted that innovations can be achieved through networking, partnership and collaboration.
According to him, innovations do not happen in a vacuum but require the right policy decisions, culture and problem solving, saying it could also be fostered in investment in science, education and research are key.
Director-General for Trade, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, H.E. Mr Per-Arne Hjelmborn, in his own submission, noted that Sweden hoped to be a strategic partner to Nigeria and the rest of the African continent to help boost the value chain and also become a knowledge partner for the nation in research, innovation, in competence development and in skill transfer.
He further noted that Nigeria and the Nordic countries had enjoyed a long tie and were becoming more dynamic in sectors such as power generation, energy, ICT, transport and digitisation, expressing the belief that Nigeria is a good match with Sweden in partnership.
