By Leonard Okachie
Ex-federal lawmaker, Sam Onuigbo, has urged the media to create the needed awareness to get everybody involved in climate change issue.
Onuigbo is also member representing South East in the Governing Board of North East Development Commission (NEDC).
He spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia, after he was awarded the “Global Climate Change Leader 2024” by Newsmakers Magazine.
ceremony by Newsmakers in Umuahia.
He said that no nation was exempted from the devastating impact of climate change, while urging all hands to be on deck to work together to arrive a common destination.
Onuigbo said it was the responsibility of media professionals to devote enough space to educate members of the public on their responsibilities and provisions of the law concerning climate change.
Onuigbo, the sponsor of Nigeria’s landmark Climate Change Act, 2021, said that it was important for the media to inform the people about the contents and provisions of the Act.
He said: “In the making of the Climate Change Act, we provided in the NCCC (National Council on Climate Change) for the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and President of the Association of Local Government on Nigeria, to be on the Council.
“The reason behind this is that climate change does not start at the Presidential Villa; it starts in the communities that make up the LGA and the state.
“Section 26 of the Act provides for climate change to be taught in primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
“It is also in that provision that there should be awareness carried out by the media and the civil society organisations.”
Onuigbo, also the Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions NEDC Board, warned that it was dangerous for any individual or nation to shy away from climate change issues.
Speaking about Onuigbo’s latest award, the Chief Executive of Newsmakers, Chief Obinna Ibe, said the magazine decided to honour him because of his invaluable contributions on climate change locally and internationally.
“Onuigbo is an unassuming politician whom I have known for years even when he was Commissioner for Land and Survey in Abia.
“There is no position assigned to him that he will not perform well,” Ibe said.
A two-term member of the House of Representatives for Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Constituency (2015-2023), Onuigbo’s newest award underscores his contribution to climate change issues both locally and internationally.
In 2023, Onuigbo was unveiled as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change by New York-based Business Insider, in recognition of his position as a global leader working towards climate and environmental solutions.
Impressed by his contributions, the 10th House of Representatives further recognised him as a worthy Ambassador of the House in November 2023.
Onuigbo was one of the five legislators inducted the National Assembly Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame, Class of 2023. (NAN)
