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).
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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.
He said that no nation is immuned from the devastation of climate change, while urging all hands to be on deck to work together to arrive a common destination.
Other recipients of the magazine’s awards were High Chief Israel Asomugha (Ugwu Umupara Ogbodiukwu) and Chief Chukwudi Ihedioha, President-General, Ogbodiukwu Progressive Union Federated, Umupara.
They were honoured by the Publisher, Chief Obinna Ibe, at the public presentation of his two journalism books and launch of Newsmakers Online Magazine.
Onuigbo said that it was the responsibility of the media to continue to devote enough time in creating the needed awareness so that people would know the provisions of the law as it concerns climate change.
Onuigbo, the sponsor of Nigeria’s landmark Climate Change Act, 2021, said that it was very important for the media to inform the people about the contents and provisions of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).
He said: “In the making of the Climate Change Act, we provided in the NCCC 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, who is also the Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions on the Governing Board of NEDC, warned that it was dangerous for any individual or nation to shy away from climate change issues.
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, who was one of the five legislators inducted the National Assembly Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame, Class of 2023, also got recognitions from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, tertiary institutions and others.
Speaking about Onuigbo’s latest award, the Publisher of Newsmakers, Ibe, said the magazine decided to honour him because of his invaluable contributions on climate change both 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 assigns to him that he will not perform well,” Ibe who just launched his two books on journalism said.(NAN)
