Deputy Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Rt Hon. Peter Odey, Co-founder Obudu Conservation Centre; Netanela Duke, Founder/CEO of CleanCyclers, Amb. Otto Canon FRSA, Jonathan Wragg, and other sustainable experts have called for funding from financial institutions to be sustainable in impacting positively on people and planet with the intention of driving solution towards achieving sustainable development.
This was the core of dialogue during the recent Global Sustainability Summit held on March 30, 2024 at the House Of Lords, London, which was organized by the CleanCyclers, a global sustainability initiative in collaboration with other global partners, to address pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainable solutions.
The Cross River deputy governor, Rt Hon. Peter Odey, who established a ministry of sustainable development in the state, said that Cross River State is evidently upholding the practice of sustainability and circular economy at high standards, adding that the state has also set up green police which to a large extent ensures that trees are not cut, waste is disposed properly, and defaulters are penalized.
In his address, the convener of the Global Sustainability Summit, Amb. Otto Canon, expressed his heartfelt concern regarding the unsustainable practices of corporations and governments around the world while calling for actions that inspire others to embrace sustainability as a way of life.
He said, “The summit served as a platform for dialogue, igniting a collective passion for sustainable action. Participants exchanged knowledge and experiences, addressing urgent climate action, renewable energy revolutions, and sustainable finance. Keynote speeches delivered impassioned calls to action, inspiring attendees to embrace sustainability as a way of life.
“The Global Sustainability Summit and Awards 2024 was more than a gathering; it was a clarion call for change. With participants hailing from diverse backgrounds and industries, the event underscored the universal relevance of sustainability and the urgency of collective action.
“In the wake of the summit, the world stands at a crossroads. It is up to each of us to choose the path of sustainability, for in our collective actions lies the power to shape a better world for all.”
The Sustainability summit also attracted notable experts such as Charlot Magayi and Sonia Dunlop, as well as other global delegates to discuss on harnessing renewable energy for climate action. It culminated in an awards ceremony, recognizing exemplary contributions to the sustainability landscape.
Awardees included Charlotte Magayi, CEO of Mukuru Clean Stoves, whose innovative cook stoves are transforming lives; His Excellency Hon. Peter Odey, Deputy Governor of Cross River State, championing sustainable development initiatives and Her Excellency Olufolake Abdulrazaq, First Lady of Kwara State, leading humanitarian efforts through Ajike People’s Support Centre.
Others are Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, driving renewable energy transitions; Nicole Hakim, Mariana Bejarano, and Cristina Cruz of Spora Studios, revolutionising materials with mycelium-based products; Joanna Knight, Co-founder of a Sustainable Design Collective, advocating for eco-friendly design solutions; and many others, all representing the vanguard of sustainability leadership.
Official partners of the summit included esteemed organizations such as FAO, World Food Forum, AYM4COP, ADHS, Vendoir, Vertical Aspects, and Lines and Web. Representatives of these organizations, including Élitz-Doris Okwudli, a coordinator of AYM4COP, and Oshoma Zekeri, Co-founder of Vendoir, were present at the event.
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