FG seeks collaboration to unlock geo-heritage potential

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has affirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to unlocking the socio-economic potentials of Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Office of the Vice President, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Shettima accordingly declared the readiness of the Federal government to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, particularly the sub-national governments, noting that the Federal Government’s doors are open for partnerships.

He stated this in Abuja when he received a delegation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) Nigeria National Committee (NNC) led by its chairman, Dr Aminu Abdullahi Isyaku, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.

ALSO READ: Nigeria’s Yinka Babalola emerges Rotary International President-elect

Shettima noted that “it is better late than never” to explore the economic and developmental benefits of geo-heritage sites for the betterment of the nation.

Stating that the Tinubu administration is repositioning Nigeria, the VP said, “We have changed the narrative in all spheres of our national life whether social, economic, cultural, sports, agriculture, education, international diplomacy.”

He commended the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for their respective roles in preserving Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites.

“I want to acknowledge the UNESCO IGGP’s alignment with our Renewed Hope Agenda and also recognise your committee’s objective in promoting sustainable geo-science development themes under climate change, hydro-geology, geo-hazards, geo-dynamics and geo-heritage,” he explained.

He encouraged the team to expand its geoscience coverage across Nigeria’s geo-political zones, assuring the delegation of sustained support for the committee’s activities.

“There are a lot of economic and development benefits of geo-heritage – jobs, sustainable tourism, and of course, peace in host communities and international research funding.

“This country is a blessed country, hence, all hands must be on deck to make it work. I urge you to come on board, let us work as a team to reposition this country,” he added.

Earlier, Dr Ishiaku sought the support of the Federal Government in actualizing the committee’s task of developing a comprehensive inventory of Nigeria’s geo-heritage sites, mapping of all heritage sites, and the completion of all ongoing geo-science projects across the country.

He said the establishment of a national committee for Nigeria, 50 years after the establishment of the global body, has firmly placed the country within the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) framework.

He assured that the committee is aligning itself with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in ensuring climate resilience, among other goals, promising to raise public awareness on the benefits of geosciences.

Also present at the meeting were the Director General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) & Secretary, UNESCO IGGP NNC, Prof. Olusegun Ige; President, Geological Society of Nigeria, Uba Saidu Malami; Secretary General, NATCOM UNESCO, ⁠Dr Olagunju Lateef; Director, National Geoscience Information Centre, Mrs Grace Okpala; Co-Founder, DigGeoNaija, Dr Ganiyu Mosuro, and Deputy Director in the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Ishaku Muhd Ganu, among others.