By Hakeem Babalola
Nigerian senator, Ahmed Makarfi, has called for Africa’s participation in Global Climate Change but said that “Africa needs support to participate” in what he believed is for the good of us all. Makarfi disclosed this at the fifth Africa Summit in Budapest on October 1st where he represented his political associate, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo who was to chair the event jointly organized by African Hungarian Union (AHU), Afrika Holding, ENERGIA GAZDÁLKODÁSI TUDOMÁNYOS EGYESŰLET (ETE) and Corvinus University Budapest.
Responding to the theme: “Global Climate Control with the Participation of Africa and the Renewable Energy Technologies…Great Green Wall – Green Sahara projects; Makarfi said that he supported the idea that decision makers should take the right decision at the right time regarding global climate change.
In the case of Africa, he stated that the forestation and emission as a result of burning of wood and coal is the facilitator of global climate change. He then attributed three factors being responsible for Africa’s woe in this matter.
Makarfi said: “What is responsible for this is the level of under-development, poverty level and of course the initial exploitation of our natural resources by the colonial masters”.
But he quickly added that the world should not lose sleep over the causes rather the solution to address this particular situation. He also believed that recovery of ‘our” forest and vegetation can provide employment opportunity in Africa which he said is like killing two birds with one stone.
On ethanol bio-fuel, the senator also called for the western world to help Africa with their technology. Describing solar energy as expensive source of energy, he explained that Nigerian people for example, may be reluctant to embrace it unless it is seen as sustainable small scale project.In view of this, the former two-term Kaduna State governor said that it was highly important for Africa to get technology that will both attract government attention and the users so that confidence is restored in people.
The summit attracted distinguished guests like Mayor and Ambassadors: Lounes Magramane (Algeria), Joao-Miguel Vahekeni (Angola), Dr. Paul Emile Tshinga Ahuka (DR Congo), Aly El-Hefny (Egypt), Olga Ramalason (Madagascar Mayor), Adnene Damergi (Tunisia). There are other distinguished guests at the day long event. Buyiswa Lengisi, First Secretary (Political) represented South African Embassy while Richard Randrianasolo Honorary Consul Madagascar presented Business opportunity in his country.
Right after the opening speech by Sándor Balogh, AHU president and organiser, different speakers who are experts in their respective fields talked about different topics ranging from business opportunities to accelerate Hungarian SME's participation in Africa; energy problems and its renewable, agricultural reform, water strategy in Africa, the probability of bio fuel becoming a reality in Africa and so on.
The speakers are: Dr. Zsolt Becsey, State Secretary at the External Economics; Dr. József Steier, Chairman Scientific Association of Energy Management in Esztergom (ETE); Mr. István Pataki, Innocell and ex-vice president Hungarian Energy; Ny Rado Rafalimanana, Renewable Energy expert; Dr. Márton Jolánkai, agricultural professor at Szent István University; Dr. Zoltán Lakner, adjunct professor Department of Food Economy Budapest Corvinus University; Ferenc Virágh, Internationa Real Estate Developer.
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