The center for climate change, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka has presented an award of recognition of Leadership in Climate Change to the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Constituency of Abia State, Rep . Sam Onuigbo.
Rep Sam Ogbonna
Rep. Onuigbo is the sponsor of the Climate Change Bill recently signed into an Act by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The group led by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Charles Esimone presented the award to the lawmaker at the Center for Climate Change, NAU Awka.
VC Prof. Charles Esimone With Hon Sam Onuigbo
Speaking during the event Prof. Charles expressed gratitude to Rep. Onuigbo for his dedication in seeing that Nigeria achieves a legal framework towards the reduction of climate change impacts.
He said “Action cannot be more apt at any other time than now”, adding that climate change and its consequences transcend local and international boundaries.
The Director Center for climate Change, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr Emma Ezenwaji said the Center of Climate Change NAU was established in 2019 by the VC adding that it is a turning point in the center.
According to him the first step of achieving this mandate is to Collaborate with the department of Geography and Metrology to propose the mountain of Post Graduate Diploma and MSC programmes in Climate Change.This proposal is recieving the desired attention from our college of Post Graduate studies with the assurance that it will soon be transmitted to the university senate for approval for the program to commence with 2022/2023 academic session.
Sam Onuigbo in his remark thanked the center and for the leadership award in recognition of his efforts in ensuring the country meets her climate change mitigation and adaptation goals.
While speaking he highlighted some key provisions of the climate change Act and urged everyone to ensure that they get their hands on the act, study it and become fully abreast of their responsibility as citizens in tackling Climate Change.
He said “the Climate Change Act 2021 provides for the mainstreaming of climate change actions, establish the national council on climate change and for other related matters” adding that the climate change should set up a National Council that will be headed by the president, the idea is to have a broad representation with the decision making domiciled at the highest level.
The commissioner said there should be provisions for climate education, support for research and scientific innovations adding that the country is to address the issue of climate change using nature based solutions and many more.
While Briefing newsmen he said to limit the climate change everyone is expected to be careful in the disposal of plastic bags to avoid erosion,plant trees to save the environment instead of engaging in deforestation.we should engage in reforestation to secure our planet not just for today but for also the next generation. He said he joined the center knowing that they are doing the right thing adding that they need support and have focus on the on going project adding that he is ready to join many other centers as time goes on.
He also said he accepted the award as a turning to do much more better than he has done adding that the award is not an arranged one rather he was seen worthy to be appreciated of his efforts towards climate change.
Responding,Rep Onuigbo thanked the center for the awards presented to him and explained that the climate change bill is as a result of hard work of so many people and not just him.He also appreciated those who contributed in so many ways to see that the project is a reality.
Highlights of the event includes presentation of awards and handouts on climate action.
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