Experts Call for Collective Action to Tackle Climate Change at SDG Leadership Summit -- ABU

By Ibrahim Abdulsalam and Olupitan Kemi

In a bid to tackle climate change issues across the globe, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Hub, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria has organized its maiden edition of leadership submit 1.0 on the 10th February, 2024 at the CBN Center of Excellence, ABU Business School.

The ABU SDG Hub event under the leadership of Comrade Ibrahim Nuhu Kankia who is the Coordinator and Chief Organizer drew attendees from diverse background, including students, academics, and professionals. The essence of the event facilitated by Founder and CEO of IDEAS AND DATA Global Academy, Dr. Mustapha Shehu, was to set priorities for climate change issues by the government and general public and stress the need for individuals to be changemakers in their respective leadership roles. The summit featured a distinguished panel of speakers including Mukhtar Aliyu, Usman Waziri, Yazeed Mika’il, and Dr. Musa Sufi Isa. 

Mukhtar Aliyu, the moderator for the panel discussion at the event, emphasised the importance of individual accountability to prevent the scenario where essential tasks go unfulfilled due to assumptions about others taking responsibility.

"We should all play an important role in our country as if everything depends on us, so as to avoid the story of everybody, anybody, somebody, and nobody,” he said while quoting his former university lecturer.

Former ABU-SRC President, Usman Waziri, now an engineer and public speaker, stressed the need to leverage human resources and equip them with valuable and relevant skills. He advised young people to learn from others, seek mentors, and exercise patience, noting that significant change takes time.

Panelist Yazeed Mika’il addressed how leaders can tackle interrelated issues like climate change, starvation and poverty. He emphasized the interconnectivity of climate change with other sectors and advocated for a bottom-up approach, giving young people the opportunity to be change makers and promoting adaptable and flexible policies.

The panel discussion concluded with Dr. Musa Sufi Isa, a development specialist, TV personality, humanitarian, freelance journalist, educator, and SDGs advocate. When asked about how climate change could be improved, he highlighted the importance of enlightening people at the grassroots, analyzing problems, and adopting a problem-solving approach.

The leadership summit organized by the SDG Student Club at Ahmadu Bello University heralded a proactive approach towards addressing climate change challenges. With insightful discussions and practical recommendations, the event stressed the importance of collective action in fostering sustainable development.