By Adesewa Oyinloye
Sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act and member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission, Hon. Sam Onuigbo has described the launch of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Implementation Framework as one of the best things to have happened to the country, even as he commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for activating the Climate Change Act.
Nationally Determined Contribution is a climate action plan to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts. Each Party to the Paris Agreement is required to establish an NDC and update it every five years.
The Paris agreement asks countries to update their NDCs every five years. But given the large gap between the emissions cuts required to limit global warming to 1.5°C and the emissions reductions currently planned, the Glasgow Climate Pact in November 2021 called on all countries to revisit and strengthen the targets in their NDCs in 2022.
Speaking during the launching in Abuja, Onuigbo says he feels fulfilled that NDC has taken off in Nigeria.
In his words “I am happy because what we started on a small scale, when there was little or no awareness, is truly moving in the right direction in a gradual but steady manner.
“I would like to congratulate the Director-General and the leadership of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), the Federal Ministry of Environment, NDC Partnership, and other facilitators–local and international.
“Today’s event is unique for many reasons, prominent among which is to recall that the Honourable Minister of Environment unveiled the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) during COP28 in December, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“That landmark event at the global stage was followed by several other activities in Nigeria, including the high-level presentation and socialisation of the LT-LEDS on May 8, 2024.
“As a humble public servant of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the sponsor of the Climate Change Act, I am grateful to God that we now have a clear pathway towards attaining Section 1 of the Act which is aimed at “…achieving low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, inclusive green growth and sustainable economic development.”
“According to Jane Bevan of UNICEF, Nigeria ranks among the top countries where children are badly impacted by climate change. In the Act, we prioritised women, youths, and children. Accordingly, Section 26 clearly provides “for the integration of climate change into the various disciplines and subjects across all educational levels.”
The former National Assembly member said it is heartwarming that President Tinubu has comprehensively activated the Climate Change Act through his speeches, prouncements, and clear actions adding “ his leadership in tackling climate change and also in recogising the opportunities that abound is worthy of recognition, commendation, and emulation. Therefore, achieving this strategic milestone is a sure path towards attaining our 2050-2070 net-zero target as provided in the Act.”
Onuigbo enjoined Nigerians to ensure all hands are on “deck for us to work together in a productive way and arrive at our destination”.
