Vice President Kamala Harris of the United States of America has commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for providing leadership on climate change.
Osinbajo is in Washington to seek global partnerships and support for the recently inaugurated Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP).
His spokesman Laolu Akande said in a statement on Saturday that the duo met at the Ceremonial Office at the White House and made remarks to newsmen before the closed session where they discussed bilateral issues.
Harris expressed optimism about Nigeria’s ability to achieve the ambitious goals laid out in the plan.
She welcomed Nigeria’s ETP and applauded Osinbajo’s extraordinary leadership.
“I congratulate you for your example on your ETP which I know pledges carbon neutral energy by 2060, an ambitious goal but important and by your leadership, I have no question that they will be achieved,” she said.
On advocacy for a just energy transition, Harris observed that her Nigerian counterpart had been an extraordinary leader on the issue.
“I noticed this is something you feel very strongly about and you have been very adamant about the role Nigeria is playing in addressing these crises that face us all,” she added.
Harris also praised Nigeria’s leadership role in upholding democracy in West Africa and expressed hope that the general election in February 2023 would be peaceful and reflect the will of the people.
Osinbajo, while responding to welcoming remarks by Harris, said both countries needed further collaboration on global issues.
“We very strongly believe that we, in the coming years, will need to work together again on so many global challenges that are varied.
“And they come up very frequently now from promoting peace and security, to tackling global health issues and climate change and of course, economic adversity,” he said.
On Nigeria’s ETP, Osinbajo said that the plan was important because the climate crisis for Nigeria was two existential issues.
“We look forward to the coming years and months for even greater collaboration and stronger ties between our countries to create a fairer, more prosperous and perhaps a greener, also freer nation and nations and the world,” he said
Osinbajo commended the US for its innovative approach to addressing climate change.
He congratulated Harris on the Inflation Reduction Act, saying it was historic, especially for those who were paying attention to all the issues of climate change.
