Vice President Kashim Shettima has said international cooperation is needed to tackle the challenges facing the world.
A statement on Saturday by his spokesman, Olusola Abiola, said Shettima spoke while addressing world leaders at the ongoing G77+China leaders’ summit in Cuba.
Shettima said the tension in some parts of the world must not be allowed to prevent countries from forging a mutually beneficial path to progress.
He said: “We must always remember that cooperation is our compass and the most realistic path towards maximizing the opportunities and resolving challenges before us.
“We must not allow geopolitical tensions in any corner of the world to deter us from forging a collective and mutually advantageous path forward, a roadmap of shared prosperity and progress.
“Allow me to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with our fellow member nations of the G77 and China.
“We shall champion initiatives that harness the potential of science, technology, and innovation to confront economic challenges, particularly within the global South.
“We must not allow geopolitical tensions in any corner of the world to deter us from forging a collective and mutually advantageous path forward, a roadmap of shared prosperity and progress.”
Shettima also underscored the role played by science, technology and innovation in resolving challenges from the past to the present.
He added: “Throughout history, science and technology have shaped the course of nations.
“The phases of the Industrial Revolution, from the first to the fourth, and from mechanization to automation, have determined the prosperity of those nations.
“It is crucial to acknowledge that the developing world found itself at a disadvantage in the earliest phases of these transformations, struggling to compete fairly as these revolutions swept across the globe.”
Shettima also commended the contributions of Nigerian youths to the nation’s quest for technological advancement.
He added: “These young citizens are not only dedicated to integrating human elements into the evolving technological sphere, but their efforts also extend to diverse fields.
“Ranging from telemedicine to the automation of agriculture, all with the aim of making our daily lives more seamless.”
