An Imo Youth Advocate impacting the world through climate actions (SDG 13)

As the electioneering season starts in Imo State and across the federation, various political parties, politicians are now fully engaged in marketing and de-marketing of their alleged political opponents within and outside their parties.

Far away in North America, a young man by the Gbujie Daniel Chidubem from Umuayaka-Akabor, Ahiazu Mbaise is placing his local government area, his state Imo and Nigeria on the Global Map.


Following his impressive global advocacy strategy implemented through an organization, he founded 15 months ago called "Team 54 Project", a not-for-profit organization that raises awareness about the impact of climate change and its effect on sustainable development Goals amongst vulnerable nations.

With his passionate members they coordinate global actions through various ways either in partnership with actions or project of known international groups like; Climate Reality Project an organization chaired by Mr. Al Gore Ex-Vice, President of United State of America or the Parvati.org founded by a famous Canadian singer Parvati Devi, and also work with individuals to educate and empower their members and communities that their programs have taken roots.

The group membership has citizens from 169 nations, who work passionately to place the organization as one of the leading advocates of sustainable future based on a green philosophy which supports Eco-Friendly initiatives.

Gbujie was also the first African and First Nigerian to be part of an 8-man delegation of the World Media Association to the United Nations Framework convention on climate change in Marrakesh during the 2 weeks conference in November 2016.

Following all these accomplishments, Gbujie was invited last week to the United Nations by the President of United Nations General Assembly, H.E Miroslav Lajčák to be part of the High-Level meeting on Peacebuilding and achieving Sustainable Development Goals along with hundred global stakeholders. The meeting took place at the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations (UN) from Tuesday 24th - Thursday 26th April 2018.

This type of accomplishment has not been seen before and definitely not by any youth in the state or any in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.

" I owe no one any apologies for the way, I dress to international functions because the traditional dress is part of my culture and my identity as a human of which am so proud to show the world that I am proud Mbaise Man from Akabor and nothing is going to change that forever," he said.

He is a worthy African Ambassador from the Igbo ethnic extraction and dresses in traditional attire, for all engagements he is invited.


He holds the view that he was bor for a great purpose, a purpose he believes is to create a better world and image for people he shares common value with like Africans, Nigerians and Imolites especially his kinsmen from Mbaise. Gbujie believes that creating a sustainable society is achievable only if people in the community are ready to inclusive and work hard to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.


On 2nd of March 2017, Gbujie was part of the few Africans sponsored to participate in the Prestigious Climate Reality Project Leadership Training program in Denver, Colorado which exposed him to the climate advocacy movement.


Gbujie met with one of the greatest global environmental advocate, a Nobel laureate Winner and Ex-Vice-President of United State of America during the training, His Excellency, Mr. Al Gore, discussed with him and they shared thoughts of what the future holds for Earth in a climate changing world, with the new friendship he has forged ahead plus those of other participants at the program he established a global network and established collaborative ideas and project across the globe.


Gbujie has carried out over 600 Acts ofAdAdvocacy on climate change and SDGs across the globe with a target goal of 1000 before the end of the year.


He returned to Imo State to establish the first All-female farmers/Gardeners group in his ancestral home in Akabor Ahiazu-Mbaise on 30th of May 2017. A region constantly marginalized and affected by poverty. He established the group after he saw, the way his kinsmen practiced agriculture, which was a detriment to the environment and their health. He explained to the elders and the women that their agriculture practice of burning fields and trees plus the indiscriminate use of chemicals like pesticides are causing environmental problems.
This lead to the launch of his Rural Green Initiative in Mbaise, Imo State Nigeria. This initiative provided support for the female farmers by providing high power seeds from overseas and encouraged them to plant fresh food in gardens, cash crops, and flowers on every available land seen.

He also has been able to bring the message of climate change and how it affects the community disproportionately to his people.


Gbujie's organization continues to tackle the challenges of climate change through planting trees, shrubs, creates regular online recorded messages delivered in local languages in viewing center in the community and support clean-up exercise to remove waste.

Since creating Team 54 Project, 15 months ago, the organization has made an impact, like the creation of opportunities. For example, Nigerian fashion designers who are his members, joy knew no bound when Team 54 Project was able to partner with a company in India that produces green Eco-friendly clothing material, the collaboration has transformed their lives.


Another example of the impact Gbujie is making across, is the introduction of the green painting Artwork, which one of his member living in Switzerland does by using the can spraying technique, Carvart as he is called, is able to raise awareness about climate change through his Artwork which depicts the impacts and the urgent need to act and creates job for him.


"I have been able to create a value-based content idea, through the fusion of the individual skills, talent, and passion, the passion we are talking about is the burning desire to do great things that can impact others and the environment positively through using one's skills or talent.


He has delivered over 189 papers and powerpoint presentations across the globe, with more presentations waiting to be delivered before the end of the year. Noticeable among them is the presentation he will be making as a speaker at the 5th World Conference on Climate Change and Global warming from the 23rd of May - 24th of May 2018 at the prestigious Hilton New York JFK Hotel, 135 Avenue Queens New York USA. The international event will be attended by heads of states and renowned scientists and researcher working on climate change science and Sustainability Innovations.


"I am also working tirelessly to see to it that the Nigeria Government stop gas flaring by multinational oil companies in Nigeria, this he is doing working with other local groups in the country, and he is also campaigning for the nation to shift to clean green technologically driven economy," he said.


As I conclude this article about this great son from Mbaise, Imo state, I am again reminded that there are few among us that are extraordinary because they are able to harness the passion within them to create a great impact that influences others positively.


Gbujie is indeed an Extraordinary man who has elevated the nation and state globally as a place where intelligent people can be found, he deserves to be recognized by all the levels of government in Imo State and Nigeria.

So that others young Imolites who see this can be motivated and inspired to do greater things too.


Congratulations, Dr. Gbujie Daniel Chidubem, we are proud of you and all your accomplishments. Mbaise nweremadu!


Writer: Mr. Ikechi Nonso, is a freelance Journalist from Aboh-Mbaise LGA but he is based in Imo State and he is the Zonal coordinator of the Youth Coalition For A Better Imo (YCFBI)


References for this article included making calls and researched on social media platform.


Facebook blog of Team 54 Project:
https://www./team54project/
1.http://climatereality.co.za/a-climate-at-the-un-to-discuss-climate-action-and-sustainable-development/
2.http://www.thehealthpilot.org/africans-head-us-climate-reality-project-training-seattle-washington/
3.https://www.google.com/amp/s/penkup.com/2017/02/24/nigerian-resident-doctor-wins-ex-us-vice-president-al-gore-climate-change-sponsorship-to-the-usa/amp/
4.https://www.globalyoungvoices.com/my-story/2017/9/19/team-54-project-shows-the-world-the-damages-created-by-climate-change
5.https://gbujie2dan.wixsite.com/team54project-org
6.http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/231682/nigerian-doctor-nominated-by-world-medical-association-for-u.ht
7.unfccc.int > resources > docs > cop22 >eng. Page1 Ge. 16-19691(E) Conference of the Parties Twenty-session. Pdf
8. http://www.giantstridesafrica.com/2016/11/a-nigerian-based-young-doctor-has-been.html?m=1
9.https://www.medicalworldnigeria.com/2015/10/trail-blazing-rivers-state-doctor-set-to-visit-russia-for-world-health-general-assembly
10. http://dailytimes.ng/nma-boss-elected-wma-adviser/
11.http://www.metronaija.com/2015/06/photoNigeriann-doctor-makes-history.html





https://m.thenigerianvoice.com/news/266187/a-nigerian-youth-advocate-impacting-the-world-through-climat.html