By Adesewa Oyinloye
A solid foundation has been laid for mainstreaming climate action into Nigeria’s national development, a Climate Change Advocate, Hon. Sam Onuigbo has said.
Besides, Hon. Onuigbo says the National Council on Climate Change which is now fully operational is an indication that the country is serious about the issue of Climate Change.
Reviewing Nigeria’s outing at COP28 held in Dubai, Onuigbo, a former National Assembly member who sponsored Climate Change Act 2021, says the event which drew many world leaders was unique for Nigeria because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally took charge and got many commitments for the development of some sectors of the economy.
The Member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) explained further that before the event, the President had instructed Ministers and other appointees to go to COP 28 and try partnership and commitment for funding for the nation.
According to him, the leadership shown by President Tinubu has put Nigeria on a very strong footing.
His words” The President did not only give the instructions, he came here and attended over four to five meetings that I was opportune to attend with him, where he took charge and made sure that the Ministers and appointees are working in line with his directive from Nigeria.
“There was a roster for the Ministers and the other appointees to be able to attend all the events because there is a realization today that Climate Change being a cross-cutting issue affects all the Ministries and that’s why Mr. President has exercised leadership and it is something worthy of commendation.
“I am not surprised that the President of Kenya publicly acknowledged President Tinubu for the decisions he has taken, some of them very hard decisions, but intended to put Nigeria on the right path to national development”
Onuigbo disclosed that Nigeria was able to sign many MoUs during COP 28 because of the efforts of President Tinubu at the event. One of it he noted is the finance that Nigeria is going to get from the UAE Islamic Bank.
On why the issue of Climate Change should be on the front burner in Nigeria, Onuigbo has this to say:
“Let me say clearly that it has dawned on entire world going by report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as well as other International reports by scientists that the earth is warming faster than ever.”
Earth’s temperature has risen by an average of 0.14° Fahrenheit (0.08° Celsius) per decade since 1880, or about 2° F in total. The rate of warming since 1981 is more than twice as fast: 0.32° F (0.18° C) per decade
