₦airaland Forum

Experts on leadership agree, bar none, that transformational leaders are nurtured, not born. They are a rare breed of people, who through training, and personal drive to be unique and better, transcend beyond the banal leaders everywhere, and strive to be better. Researchers thus approximate leadership traits as comprising 70% nurturing, and 30% attribution to genetic makeup. Consequently, the 21st century global leadership expert, John Maxwell opines that "leadership develops daily, not in a day." Maxwell’s position concretizes the fact that leadership is a process, which becomes better with experience underlined by a conscious effort to be better.

Indeed, the obsession to quickly emerge as leaders within a day, has been the bane of leadership in Africa, and Nigeria in particular. Yet, from time to time, one finds, emerging, a quintessential leader who rigorously makes efforts to be better and to embrace the age-long truth that transformative leadership must be anchored on a vision that is well thought out and developed.

In Rep. Sam Onuigbo, one finds this type of leader -- a nurtured leader whose leadership is based on an unwavering commitment to a vision that targets both short term gains, and long term glories for his people. Onuigbo therefore emerges bright as a noon day sun, reflecting a remarkable consistency of continuous rise from managerial leadership at the United States Embassy (now US Consulate-General, Lagos); to political leadership, rising from being a two-time Commissioner in Abia State, Special Adviser to the Speaker of the 6th House of Representatives, to a national legislator as member of the House of Representatives where his transformative ideas and commitments led to the enactment of a legal framework for climate change in Nigeria thus setting the country on the path of sustainable growth.

It was the latter which catapulted him to the global stage as an accomplished and visionary leader worthy of recognition as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change in 2023.

Onuigbo fits snugly into the iconic South African leader, Nelson Mandela's, definition of leaders being those who "...are consistent, have a sense of honour, a vision." This is because, looking through Onuigbo's profile, one could see him walking the talk of the influential management consultant Peter Drucker who counselled aspiring leaders to aim at lifting their vision to higher sights, to raising their performance to a higher standard, and to building their performance beyond its normal limitations.

Thus through experience, training, and a focused mindset, Onuigbo has honed his leadership skills and capacity such that it is evident that his leadership abilities are at their peak currently. Starting from the grassroots as a community leader passionate about the development of his people, to rising through the ranks as stated above, Onuigbo exemplifies transformational leadership through his commitment to inspiring change and fostering growth within communities and organizations. His integrity and advocacy for change manifested in several ways including attracting a Secondary School to his Obuohia Obi-Ibere community through the U.S State Department’s self-help project (a move which saved the students over five man-hours of trekking to schools daily), through the many projects he attracted during his time at the House of Representatives. He has steadfastly redefined leadership aligning his leadership style to Maxwell's succinct assertion that "leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less".

This is manifest in the calibre of projects he attracted including but not limited to the ongoing total reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road; massive erosion control works at Okwe-Obuohia road in Ikwuano LGA and Amachara, Umuopara in Umuahia South LGA; donation of transformers to boost electricity across several communities and complete electricity projects in a few communities in Ikwuano/Umuahia North/ Umuahia South; water projects; classroom blocks across the three LGAs; numerous human capital development trainings and empowerment programmes; the ongoing Achingali-Udo na Obizi-Umunwanwa-Ubakala federal road; massive Skills Acquisition Centre at Apumiri, Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA headquarters; Health Centres at Oloko and Obuohia Obi-Ibere in Ikwuano LGA; facilitating the construction of the federal secretariat at Ekeoba,Ohuhu, Umuahia; design of the Umuahia-Umudike 16 kilometres dualization project with an interchange at the Abia Tower, etc. All of these, he accentuated with the provision of direction and leadership to many young persons who today are leaders in their own rights.

Followers are drawn to leaders who show genuine willingness and true commitment to lead them towards achieving common vision and goals, Maxwell submits. Thus Onuigbo's leadership credentials stem from his articulation of a compelling vision that resonates with followers, plus his dedication to understanding and addressing the unique needs of his followers.

As a purpose-driven leader, Onuigbo focuses on charting a course of action with clear commitment to driving positive change and making a meaningful impact in his community and country. He has always been clear about it. In attracting the construction of roads, markets, and the training of his people, he was setting the stage for their entrepreneurial growth. In attracting electricity projects, he was providing them with a basic need to launch their journeys towards economic growth. In providing hospitals, he was attempting to provide them with a solution to ailments that may come as they struggle to make ends meet. Through his sponsorship of the Climate Change Act Onuigbo shows his commitment to addressing critical local and global issues and setting the tone for the sustainable growth of the country. Thereafter, even after his exit from the National Assembly, he continues to actively engage to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the Act, working to secure funding and drive multilevel action to tackle climate change issues.

Onuigbo's purpose-driven leadership was equally at play during the process of pushing through Nigeria's Climate Change Act. The Bill had suffered setbacks in the 6th and 7th Assemblies before Onuigbo was elected. In the 8th Assembly, Onuigbo’s determined efforts ensured that the Bill successfully passed in the two chambers, but the President declined assent. Unfazed by that, he began again from the scratch during the 9th Assembly and finally the Bill gained Presidential assent, assuring Nigeria a place in the comity of nations with an agenda for tackling climate change. This is further proof of his tenacity as a transformational leader.

The process towards passage of the Climate Change Act also revealed a forward-looking resilient visionary, who emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity in governance reflecting a maturation of leadership approach towards addressing broader societal issues and challenges.

Transformative leaders like Onuigbo lay foundations which, whether they are there or not, continue to impact on lives and the society. A good example is the current rave about climate change which has taken over the Nigerian space.This is traceable to the enactment of the Climate Change Act. This rave has seen the country exponentially increase its climate change efforts both through the government, the private sector, and civil society.

Beyond legislation, Onuigbo's appointment as member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is an acknowledgment of the potential in his leadership style and philosophy. To impact on the national assignment, Onuigbo has unfolded "visionary, impactful, and futuristic ideas for the sustainable development of the North East", emphasizing the need for the NEDC to structure its plans in a way that "renews hope and delivers development that is enduring and sustainable". As Chairman of the Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions, he has propounded policy actions which amongst others encourage engagement in eco-friendly practices and advocating for sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.

Such interventions reflect his dedication to addressing climate issues and enhancing security through sustainable processes.He equally advocates empowerment of youths through sustainable business initiatives, emphasizing the importance of creating jobs that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable. Onuigbo also supports policies that drive investments in renewable energy, which he believes can create job opportunities and foster industrialization, thereby benefiting the youths.

To address the challenges of terrorism and climate change, Onuigbo stresses the importance of leveraging on climate actions to create a fertile environment for peace, economic vibrancy, and growth which can nip in the bud the insecurity in the North-East.

Indeed, over the years, Rep. Sam Onuigbo has redefined leadership, ensuring that wherever he finds himself, he leaves indelible footprints. Little wonder then that he was inducted into the National Assembly’s Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame, Class of 2019-2023 being one of the five legislators so recognised out of 469 legislators in the 9th Assembly. The 10th House of Representatives would further go ahead to recognise him as a Worthy Ambassador of the House. During his time at the U.S Embassy, he was also the recipient of various meritorious honour awards from the U.S Department of State, and letters of commendation from two former US Ambassadors to Nigeria. All of these are testaments to his transformational leadership style and people’s recognition of its impact on lives.

Indeed, leaders like him deserve to be sought out and given leadership positions so that they can continue to lay solid foundations for our growth as a people. As the days go by, Rep. Onuigbo owes it to the world, to continue to impact positively while nurturing younger leaders who will continue to carry the torch for the good of our country. It also behoves on us all to cherish this quintessential leader, continue to support his growth, and learn as much as we can while he is still with us. Long may this endure.

*Tony Icheku is a social commentator and writes from Umuahia.

Rep. Sam Onuigbo has called on those trying to create unnecessary rancour between the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr Alex Otti OFR, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to desist from doing so, for the good of Abia State. Onuigbo stated this while speaking to news men in Umuahia on Thursday, August 22, 2024, in Umuahia, on the sidelines of the “Renewed Hope Police Agenda on Strengthening Community Policing: Building a Safer Nigeria Together” event in Umuahia, Abia State.

Onuigbo who represents the South East on the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), said that both Otti and Kalu have been working collaboratively to bring about robust development and progress in Abia State. He therefore likened them to the State’s best players whose cordial relationship must be allowed to flourish in the interest of Abia State’s growth.

The former lawmaker stated that those twisting Rt. Hon. Kalu’s assertion that Abians would want to show appreciation to President Tinubu for his goodwill to the State by electing a Governor from the All Progressives Congress (APC) are only doing so to disrupt the cordial relationship between Governor Otti and the Deputy Speaker. He warned that such actions which stem from a place of jealousy and evil can only hinder the progress being recorded in the State through the partnership between the two great sons of Abia State.

Onuigbo who maintained that no amount of evil machination will disrupt the cordial relationship between the two men, pointed out that it was in recognition of Rt. Hon. Kalu’s immense achievements that the State Governor organised a grand civic reception in his honour in December, 2023, where Abia Traditional Rulers gave the Deputy Speaker the prestigious chieftaincy title of “Enyi Abia”. He pointed out that on several occasions one of which was when the Deputy Speaker led a delegation to Governor Otti’s house to thank him for the grand civic reception held in his honour, Rt. Hon. Kalu has extolled Governor Otti for his exemplary leadership which is what Abia needs at the moment.

“What they have is a very cordial relationship based on mutual respect, love for one another, and genuine passion for the development of Abia State. They are like our best players, and every serious team must always play their best players in order to win important games. So, no amount of efforts by detractors can destroy this relationship which will take Abia to the top.”

He therefore urged Abians to disregard the efforts of mischief makers and continue to support the two men, so that they will continue to win laurels for the State.

Member representing the South East on the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, said President Bola Tinubu has shown immense goodwill towards the South East region, and thus should be encouraged to do more.

Onuigbo stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Thursday, August 22, 2024, on the sidelines of the “Renewed Hope Police Agenda on Strengthening Community Policing: Building a Safer Nigeria Together” event in Umuahia, Abia State.

Commending the President for signing the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill into law, the former National Lawmaker described the SEDC as a “gift to the South-East” that would help repair damages caused by the Civil War and empower the people.

Onuigbo who acknowledged efforts by previous Presidents for the region argued that none had surpassed Tinubu’s achievements. He stated that the region had been waiting for the SEDC opportunity for over 54 years since the end of the Civil War, but no President saw it fit to establish the commission in line with the post-Civil War policy of the 3Rs—Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction.

He praised Tinubu for his efforts in nation-building and urged the people to recognise and encourage his efforts:

“We were fortunate during the eight years of President Olusegun Obasanjo to have had five Senate Presidents from the South East. We also had a Deputy Senate President for 12 years and, of course, a Deputy Speaker for another four years. However, in spite of these, we were unable to secure a specific commission focused on addressing the devastations of the Civil War.”

Onuigbo emphasised that Tinubu’s signing of the SEDC Bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and other legislators, was a significant development.

He further highlighted Tinubu’s achievements in the region since assuming office on 29 May 2023, including the appointment of a Service Chief, support for the emergence of a Deputy Speaker from the South East, as well as other appointments including the Minister of Works.

“We are having a lot of other appointments coming from him. So, when someone is doing well, what you do is encourage them to do even more,” he stated.

“I think Tinubu has done well in the South East; his efforts deserve to be recognised, encouraged, and commended.”

A former Member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has described the annual August meeting held all over Igboland by women as a key contributor to the development of Igboland. Onuigbo stated this following his receipt of the distinguished award of "Ezi Enyi Uvoma" from the Olokoro Clan Development Union (OCDU) Women Federated, during their 39th Annual August Meeting which took place on August 10, 2024, at the Olokoro Central School Field, Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA, Abia State.

Onuigbo, who represents the South East on the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) said that in addition to the razzmatazz of August meetings, the occasion affords women, both in Nigeria and in the diaspora, the opportunity to come together, make plans and contribute to the socio-economic development and growth of their communities. This is evident in the many infrastructural projects which Igbo women use the occasion of the August meeting to raise funding for, and ultimately execute.

A veteran of sorts, having been a constant participant at the August meetings of his community women for about twenty-five years, the former National Lawmaker described the annual meetings as an extension of the famed Igbo Unions, which brings together women for social interactions, bonding, prayers for their communities, interventions on critical community issues, and the execution of developmental projects.

Echoing Onuigbo's views, the President General of OCDU Women Federated, Deaconess Oluchi Atu, said the meetings provide a platform to not only honour deserving individuals, but also an opportunity for women at home and abroad to come together and find solutions to current issues facing their communities.

Onuigbo urged Igbo women to never relent in their efforts to use this unique platform to build harmony, engender social cohesion, and continue to support Igbo men in their drive for the all-round development of Igboland.

Every year, Igbo women from all over the world travel to their communities to hold their annual August meetings. These meetings serve as congresses where important decisions are taken, and intercessions made for the growth of their communities.

The Olokoro Clan Development Union (OCDU) Women Federated has conferred a distinguished award of honour, “Ezi Enyi Uvoma,” on Rep. Sir Samuel Ifeanyi Onuigbo, in recognition of his unparalleled contributions to the development of the Olokoro community and Abia State at large.

The award ceremony, held with grandeur, was a testament to Rep. Onuigbo’s lasting impact on the Olokoro community and beyond. The title “Ezi Enyi Uvoma,” which translates to “Good Friend of Uvoma,” was bestowed upon him as a symbol of appreciation for his dedication to public service, even beyond his tenure in political office.

The award was conferred on Rep. Sir Samuel Onuigbo during the 39th Annual August Meeting of the Olokoro Clan Development Union (OCDU) Women Federated. The presentation was made by the OCDU President General, High Chief Dike Nzenwa, who was ably represented by the First Vice President of the association, Hon. Patrick Umekwe. Onuigbo's citation was eloquently delivered by Ugwueze Lady Angela Ifeanacho Ph.D and highlighted his immense contributions to the community in the areas of infrastructural development, youth empowerment, and award of scholarships to deserving students.

In her remarks, the President General of the OCDU Women Federated, Deaconess Oluchi Atu, emphasized that the annual gathering served as a platform to honor individuals for their outstanding and selfless service to the community.

“This gathering is not just about celebrating those who have given so much to our community, but also about inspiring others to actively participate in our development programmes and projects,” she stated.

Deaconess Atu further noted that the meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for the women of the community to exchange ideas and address contemporary issues affecting both their immediate area and the broader zones at large.

In his acceptance speech, Rep. Sir Onuigbo expressed deep gratitude for the honour, highlighting the significance of being recognized for his genuine efforts outside of a politically charged period.

“I am profoundly encouraged by the Olokoro Clan Development Union (OCDU) Women Federated with this Distinguished Award of Recognition of ‘Ezi Enyi Uvoma.’ I am touched because this wasn’t given during the election season when politicians are maneuvering for all sorts of awards in search of votes. I am neither in the Senate nor in the House of Representatives now, yet I was recognized for my past outstanding accomplishments in Olokoro Clan, Abia State, Nigeria, and globally. Secondly, it was given as an award earned and not an award purchased. I treasure it and give glory to Almighty God,” he stated.

Rep Sir Sam Onuigbo is a well-respected Nigerian politician with a career marked by significant contributions to Abia State, Nigeria, and globally. He served as Commissioner for Lands and Survey and Commissioner for Finance in Abia State between 2011-2013, roles through which he drove substantial development.

During the 6th House of Representatives, Onuigbo served as Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Speaker, where he distinguished himself as a diligent and effective leader. From 2015 to 2023, he represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, where he made his mark as Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change. His most notable achievement in this role was sponsoring Nigeria’s Climate Change Bill, a landmark legislation that was eventually signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2021 after rigorous efforts.

Rep Onuigbo facilitated the ongoing total reconstruction of the 50-kilometre Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road; Achingalli-Udo na Obizi-Umunwanwa-Ubakala federal road destroyed over 54 years ago; the Federal Secretarat Umuahia; a massive Skills Acquisition Centre, Apumiri, Umuahia South; Erosion Control works at Amachara,Umuahia South and Okwe-Obuohia Road, Ikwuano; design of the Umuahia-Umudike 16 Kilometres Dualization Project with an interchange, etc.

In 2001, Rep founded a public secondary school (Ambassador’s College, Obuohia Ibere, Ikwuano) to end the misery of students trekking 12 kilometres to and from school every school day.

Rep. Onuigbo’s influence extends beyond Nigeria. In 2019, he was elected as Vice-President (Africa) of the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) International, underscoring his commitment to climate action on a global scale. His dedication to public service earned him a spot among the National Assembly’s Most Valuable Parliamentarians Hall of Fame for 2019-2023, making him one of only five National Assembly Members out of 469 lawmakers to receive this honour, along with several awards from Nigerian universities.

On November 27, 2023, he was recognised by the New York-based Business Insider magazine as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change. Similarly, the 10th House of Representatives on November 28, 2023 recognised him as a Worthy Ambassador of the House.

In addition to his political achievements, Rep. Onuigbo’s educational background is extensive. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology; a Diploma in Law from the University of Lagos; and a certificate from an Executive Education Programme on Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA.

He also attended the US Department of State Foreign Service Institute, Washington DC. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, London (FCIS), and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM). His career also includes nearly two decades of service at the United States Embassy (now U.S. Consulate-General) in Lagos, where he earned several multiple meritorious honour awards and two letters of commendations from two former US Ambassadors to Nigeria for his exemplary service.

Rep. Onuigbo’s recent award is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the people of Olokoro Clan and Abia State.

As he continues his mission of positively impacting lives, there is no doubt that more recognitions and new heights of achievement lie ahead. With such a remarkable track record and continuous dedication to public service, Rep. Sir Samuel Ifeanyi Onuigbo remains a beacon of hope and a true friend to his community and beyond.

Member representing the South East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo has stated that the greatness of a country’s future can be shaped through responsible reportage. Onuigbo made this known in a statement released in Umuahia on Monday, 5th August, 2024, shortly after the unveiling of the secretariat of the Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria (OMPAN), Abia State chapter by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

Describing the media as key to shaping people’s thoughts and actions, the two-time Member of the House of Representatives, said that with the current dominance of online media, OMPAN now bears the weight of using responsible reportage as a brick in building patriotism, perseverance, honesty, integrity, and dedication, in Nigerians.

He stated that this can only be done when media practitioners focus on factual reportage arrived at by interrogating every aspect of a story before publication.

Rep. Onuigbo thus charged OMPAN and other media practitioners to be aware of their important role in history and leverage on it to support the building of a strong, virile, and prosperous Nigeria.

He commended the Deputy Speaker for making out time from his very busy schedule to honour OMPAN.

Earlier in his speech, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, urged OMPAN to be agents of positive change, entrenching the cardinal values of “fairness and integrity in their reportage”.

The Deputy Speaker further urged them to tell both sides of every story by showcasing government’s achievements as a way of showing the people the efforts the government is making to address their concerns.

Some of the other dignitaries at the event included Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike, and Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, both former Speakers of the Abia State House of Assembly. Other dignitaries in attendance were Chief Daniel Akwari, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Deputy Speaker, and Hon. Trump, National Commissioner on National Population Commission.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the new secretariat by Rt. Hon. Kalu.

Member representing the South East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has hailed the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s assent to the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Establishment Bill which was co-sponsored by the Deputy Speaker.

This was contained in a Press Statement signed by Rep. Onuigbo, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday night, following the signing into law of the Bill, by President Tinubu.

Onuigbo who commended other South East House of Representatives Members who co-sponsored the Bill and the Senators, said the establishment of the Commission concretizes President Tinubu’s commitment to an inclusive development of the South East post-civil war, and represents a genuine commitment towards addressing not only the insecurity in the region, but also the infrastructural decay which had hitherto plagued Ala Igbo.

He commended the Deputy Speaker for his exemplary leadership and unparalleled commitment towards the progressive development of the South East which first manifested in the launch and implementation of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P) and now the enactment of the law establishing a Commission charged with overseeing the holistic growth and development of the region.

The former National Lawmaker also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for showing again, his commitment to a united and prosperous Nigeria where no region is left behind.

The South East Development Commission (SEDC) Establishment Bill was co-sponsored by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and other South East representatives at the House of Representatives. It is intended to receive funding from the federation account for the development of the South East region of Nigeria.

Member representing the South East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has called on Christians to embrace the cardinal lessons from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in their everyday lives. Onuigbo made this call in an Easter message released on Easter Sunday, 31st March, 2024.

The former National Lawmaker stated that the story of the death and resurrection of Christ is replete with the lessons of unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness, perseverance, obedience, and dedication to duty as shown by Christ.

Citing from the Book of Luke 22:49-51, Onuigbo pointed out that nothing best exemplifies Christ's willingness to forgive even those who wronged Him than the restoration of the ear of one of the servants of the Chief Priest who had come to arrest Him. Christ would further display His sense of duty, perseverance and determination to be sacrificial for those whom he loves unconditionally, by going ahead with His death and resurrection even though the human part of Him was scared at the end.

He therefore charged Christians to remember these cardinal lessons of Christ's journey and consequently attempt to live the Christlike life as the society will immensely benefit from this and the world better for it.

Member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has lauded the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Augustine Akobundu,for taking a giant step in providing the people with a key pillar in ensuring good governance. Rep. Onuigbo made this known in a congratulatory message to Senator Akobundu in commemoration of the official opening of NOSTROCOM House on Sunday, January 28, 2024, in Umuahia, Abia State.

Onuigbo who noted that the media is a critical pillar of good governance which gives the people a voice to engage with their leaders said NOSTROCOM House’s Spin FM and Alpha Spin Television are now outlets through which the people can engage with their leaders and hold them accountable.

He commended Senator Akobundu and his family for making a conscious effort to empower the people by giving them a direct line to governance, and prayed for successful operations for the media outlet.

NOSTROCOM House was commissioned on Sunday, January 28, 2024, by the Governor of Asia State, Dr. Alex Otti OFR, ably represented by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu.

Sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act (often referred to as the Sam Onuigbo Act) and member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission, Rep. Sam Onuigbo has been unveiled as the Nigerian Patron of Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet). This was during the “Post-COP28: Multi-Stakeholders National Consultative Dialogue” held at Dennis Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday 17 January, 2024.

Unveiling the former National Lawmaker, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, CSDevNet, Professor Ibrahim Choji mni, said that in choosing Rep. Onuigbo, the network considered his enormous contributions to climate action globally and know that he will bring value to the network in their efforts to collaboratively address climate change in Nigeria. Professor Choji said that it is this commitment which has seen Rep. Onuigbo recognised as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change in 2023; one of the five inductees into the National Assembly’s Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame Class of 2023; recognised by the House of Representatives as a worthy Ambassador; and champion the call for transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewables.

In his acceptance speech, Rep. Onuigbo said that his nomination to serve as the Patron of CSDevNet is one of the greatest honours of his life considering the wide reach of the network and its vision. He stated that CSDevNet’s unparalleled efforts at bringing together about 300 organisations which are at the frontiers of championing climate action and sustainable development across all nooks and crannies of Nigeria reflect a well-thought out action plan anchored on the principles of equity and largescale vertical integration of climate action all anchored around eliminating the problem of working in silos.

The global climate leader pointed out that working in silos has been a huge menace to proper and impactful project implementation in Nigeria hence his joy at being found worthy to be part of the vision to eliminate it. According to him, in drafting Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, addressing the problem of working in silos was predominant in his mind and was one of the reasons for the way the National Council on Climate Change was structured to be inclusive.

Onuigbo used the opportunity to charge civil society organisations to intensify advocacy for the robust implementation of the Climate Change Act from the federal to the subnational level in order to engender complete resilience building and sustainable development of Nigeria. He called for increased ambition and collaboration between state and non-state actors as Nigeria and other African countries aim to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2025.

CSDevNet is a climate change and sustainable development network with over 300 organisations drawn from the six geo-political zones of Nigeria representing youth bodies, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, media organisations, women, etc. all working together to advocate for “pro-poor, climate-friendly, and equity-based responses to climate change and sustainable development.” The network is “the designated national platform for Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) as well as an accredited organization with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), United Religions Initiative (URI), and works closely with ECOWAS and AfDB including Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Rep. Sam Onuigbo has said that the most effective path to the overall development of the South-East is through peace amongst the people, and genuine non-partisan collaboration amongst the political leaders of the region.

Onuigbo who serves on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) as the representative of the South-East and Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions, stated this during a simulcast on Flo FM, Family Love FM, Magic FM and Real FM, at 9a.m, on January 5, 2023.

Commending the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) initiated by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Rep. Onuigbo recalled that prior to the civil war, the South-East region was one of the fastest growing economies in the world and said that this is achievable if peace is embraced and harmonious collaboration established.

He commended President Tinubu GCFR for his genuine commitment towards peace and progress in the South-East Geopolitical Zone by unveiling the Peace In the South-East Project.

Responding to a question on rating the achievements of the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti OFR, since he came to power, the former National Lawmaker said his experience with Otti is that the Governor is fully committed to driving the development of Abia State, and is not myopic or sentimental to embrace ideas from other leaders irrespective of political affiliations. He cited the ongoing dualization of the Ossah-Okpara Square, and the Governor’s provision of compensation for landowners to fast track the commencement of the building of a Federal Secretariat in Abia (which Rep Onuigbo attracted but commencement was stalled for over four years by the previous state administration) as important examples.

Rep. Onuigbo who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act talked about the climate crisis and its impacts on communities such as reduced agricultural yields, erosion, heat waves, etc., stating that everything about climate change intersects with our development. He added that he is seriously working to see how to leverage community-led innovations to address climate change and impact the people’s growth sustainably.

The simulcast presented an opportunity for Rep. Onuigbo to react to his many achievements in 2023 including his recognition as one of 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change; recognition by the House of Representatives through the Speaker as a worthy Ambassador of the House of Representatives during plenary on 28 November 2023; his appointment as Member (South East) Governing Board of the North East Development Commission(NEDC); induction as the Most Valuable Parliamentarian of the 9th Assembly; among others.

Rep. Sam Onuigbo has charged Nigerians to ensure that the spirit of community which is at the core of the African culture is allowed to guide their actions in the new year. Onuigbo stated this in a New Year message made available to reporters on January 1, 2024.

According to the former National Lawmaker, Africans are a people who believe in the spirit of community and collective growth and this essential virtue which is at the nucleus of the African culture must be re-embraced by Nigerians in 2024, and even propagated to other parts of the world as an important gospel.

Onuigbo who represents the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) said that recent evidence from even the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate change emergency all show that without banding together as a community, the world will not make any progress in addressing critical issues. He therefore emphasised that the only way Nigeria and indeed Africa can attain sustained growth is by re-embracing the spirit of community. He therefore said that the new year offers everyone the chance to let the spirit of community guide their actions for the good of the world.

See the full statement below:

2023 like every other year had its highs and lows. But the incredible thing about it was that through it all, we made it to this new year.

2024 therefore offers us a new chance; a brand new slate; and another opportunity to go again. To review the steps we have taken in previous years and make amends where necessary.

The new year is also a brand new opportunity to revise our goals and visions. My charge is that as we do this, we factor in how our overall goals and visions affect not just us and our immediate circles, but also our larger communities and the world at large.

In Africa, the concept of individualism is alien. We are a people who believe in the spirit of community and collective growth. This has been eroded somewhat as cultures integrate. Yet we must remember that at the nucleus of our culture is this invaluable creed of community. We must re-embrace it and even propagate it as a gospel for the entire world to convert to.

Evidences around us—from the COVID-19 pandemic, through the climate emergency— all point to one thing: we can only triumph if we band together as a community and act as one. I see this also as the only solution to an inclusive and people-driven growth in Nigeria.

As we start our 2024, my simple message to all of us is: may 2024 be the year in which the spirit of community triumphs.

Happy New Year to all of us.

Rep. Sam Onuigbo FCIS, FNIM, KJW
Member (South-East)
Governing Board, and
Chairman Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions
North-East Development Commission (NEDC)[b][/b]

31st December 2023

As the mild Umuahia December sun was parting through the hazy harmattan curtain that has become synonymous with 31st Decembers in Umuahia, Rep. Sam Onuigbo was seated in his inner Sitting Room, with his family and a few political allies and staff. There were words of prayers here and there. Jokes thrown around, and a few heads bowed in introspection.

A confidante remarked that the year has been a rollercoaster for many including the former National Lawmaker who recently lost his elder brother.

In his usual calm mien, Sam Onuigbo smiled and said: “God has been faithful through it all,” and goes ahead to list the many things God did for him within the year.

Oftentimes, we let the few challenges that we faced in a year overshadow the many blessings God has graced us with. It should not be so.

In what follows, we look at the key highlights of Rep. Sam Onuigbo’s 2023.

1. Supreme Court Victory

On January 27, 2023, the Supreme Court affirmed Rep. Onuigbo as the legitimate candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Abia Central Senatorial District election which took place on February 25, 2023 during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections. This followed months of relentless battle to stop the well coordinated evil plan of snatching away the legitimate victory he won on May 29, 2022 as the candidate of the party at the Abia Central Senatorial District Primary Election.

2. Recognition as one of 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change

On 27th November, 2023, Rep. Sam Onuigbo was recognised by New York-based Business Insider as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change. The recognition which is part of the Climate Action 30 list recognises 30 of the top global activists, business leaders, academics, community leaders, and others from around the world who are working toward climate and environmental solutions.

3. Worthy Ambassador of the House of Representatives

During plenary on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, Rep. Sir Sam Onuigbo was acknowledged by the House of Representatives led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas PhD, as a worthy Ambassador of the House of Representatives in recognition of his emergence as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change in 2023.

4. NEDC Appointment

Following the expiration of Rep. Onuigbo’s time at the House of Representatives on 12th June, 2023, he was appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR as the South-East representative on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) on 19th July, 2023. The Board will go on to appoint him the Chairman of the Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions.

5. 9th Assembly MVP Hall of Fame Award

In May, 2023, and In recognition of the quality of his representation, and the intergenerational nature of the Climate Change Bill which he sponsored, Rep. Onuigbo was the only Southern Legislator of the 9th Assembly inducted, among four others from other parts of the country, into the Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame of the 9th Assembly.

6. History-maker with Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency

On 12 June, 2023, Rep. Onuigbo became the first person to successfully represent the great people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State twice. He was first elected in 2015, and re-elected in 2019.

7. Knighthood

Many years of service to humanity and in the Lord’s vineyard by Rep. Sir Sam Onuigbo KJW and his beloved wife, Pastor Dame Princess Chinyere Onuigbo JP,KJW, were recognised by the Methodist Church Nigeria, as they were conferred with the Honorific Award of Knight of John Wesley (KJW) in their own right.

8. Championing Pan-African Parliamentary Action on Climate Change

In May 2023, Rep. Onuigbo made an impassioned presentation before African Parliamentarians and other climate change stakeholders during an event co-organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, National Council on Climate Change, and the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) which featured participation by Parliamentarians from West Africa, Climate change experts, the academia, among others, where he called on African parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to mainstream climate change considerations in their parliamentary activities. Onuigbo emphasized that doing so is the only viable pathway for Africa and sustainable development hence Members of Parliament and other stakeholders owe that to the future generation of Africans.


9. Nigeria’s Energy Future, and Presentation at the Kenyan Parliament

During the Africa Climate Week which held as part of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, which took place between 4-8 September, Onuigbo made an impassioned presentation on 6th September, at the Kenyan Parliament calling on renewable energy investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2023, and the huge energy market available in the country and invest immensely in renewable energy in Nigeria.

10. Fêted by University Dons

Impressed by Rep. Onuigbo’s selfless display of leadership and unrelenting drive for climate action in Africa which earned him recognition as one of 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change in 2023, a group of university Professors from across different disciplines and regions celebrated Rep. Sam Onuigbo in a statement released nationwide on 22nd December, 2023, as a worthy achiever.

11. A Visionary Leader Calls on Africa to Key into the Future

Acutely aware of the role that fossil fuels play in exacerbating the climate crisis, Rep. Onuigbo in November 2023, published a detailed article outlining why African countries must key into the necessity of phasing out fossil fuels in a just, equitable, and time-bound manner. He stressed that doing so strategically will prepare the continent for the future. This received widespread applause from across the world particularly as it preceeded the global resolution at COP28 to phase out fossil fuels.

12. Conferment of the Title of High Chief Samuel Ifeanyichukwu Onuigbo, Odozi Obodo Gburugburu

It is only fitting that we end this list with the first of them all, which was the conferment of the title of Odozi Obodo Gburugburu to Rep. Onuigbo, on 2nd January, 2023. This title which literally translates to “the one who makes everywhere better” is a fitting description of the path of Rep. Sam Onuigbo. From his tiny village, through his federal constituency, state, nation, continent, to the world, Rep. Onuigbo has continued to champion efforts to make the world a better place not just for now, but for the future.

We wish him greater exploits in 2024!

Member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo has hailed the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, as a true example of how governance impacts the common man when leaders approach governance as a collaboration for the growth of the people and not as a competition between arms of government or political parties.

Rep. Onuigbo stated this while speaking to reporters following the Grand Civic Reception organised for Rt. Hon. Kalu by the Abia State Government on December 28, and the Grand Civic Reception, Thanksgiving, and Homecoming of the Deputy Speaker organised by the Bende Federal Constituency on December 29, 2023.

Describing Rt Hon. Kalu as an intelligent politician who has mastered the art of inclusive and collaborative leadership, the former National lawmaker said that Abians in particular and Nigerians in general would reap immensely from the style of leadership of the Deputy Speaker and enjoined him to continue on the path of people-centric leadership.

Rep. Onuigbo who serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Intervention on the Board of the North-East Development Commission, said that the harmony which exists between Rt. Hon. Kalu, the Abia State Government, and other political leaders of the South-East, testifies to the Deputy Speaker’s commitment to harmonious and impactful relationships which will benefit the people and not power-tussles as was the case in the past. This, he said, can only bring progressive growth to the region and the State, and therefore commended Rt. Hon. Kalu for championing this.

Responding to a question on how Rt. Hon. Kalu’s position can impact Abia State and the South-East positively, Onuigbo pointed out that as Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kalu presides over the proceedings of the House in the absence of the Speaker and is therefore well-positioned to project the needs of the region. Onuigbo further asserted that as the Deputy Speaker and consequently the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee of the Whole, Rt. Hon. Kalu superintends over the passage of Bills including those targeted at constitutional amendments and thus is strategically placed to continue to play a key role in championing the interests of the South-East and Abia State. He further pointed out that the Deputy Speaker’s style of leadership has him in good terms with key decision makers at the federal level, and expressed optimism that he will leverage on that to continue to attract developmental projects to the South-East and Abia State.

Recall that the Grand Civic Reception, Thanksgiving, and Homecoming organised by the Bende Federal Constituency also witnessed the official launch of Rt. Hon. Kalu’s landmark project— Peace in South East Project (PISE-P)— targeted at rallying all stakeholders to use non-kinetic means to drive for lasting peace in the South East in order to create a conducive environment for sustained growth and development in the region.

The high-level events were attended by dignitaries across party lines and from all parts of the country including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, who was ably represented by the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON; Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio CON, represented by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti OFR; Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma; representatives of the Governors of Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States; Ooni of Ife; Obi of Onitsha; Emir of Bichi; Emir of Kano; current and former National Assembly Members; former Ministers; captains of industry; President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Traditional Rulers from Abia State; etc.

Former member of the House of Representatives and Member (South East) Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has described as sad, the death of Ghali Umar Na'Abba CFR, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Onuigbo who made this known in a statement released on Thursday, December 28, 2023, said Na'Abba was an exemplary leader whose brand of politics championed inclusivity, people-centric pathways, and accountability.

The ex-National lawmaker said that Na'Abba's death was a huge loss to Nigeria, and the people of Kano in particular.

"This is a huge loss for the country in general, and Kano in particular. He will be sorely missed by all of us. Ghali Umar Na'Abba was a true democrat who understood the principles of separation of powers and fought to preserve it, " Onuigbo said.

Ghali Umar Na'Abba died at the age of 65 on December 27, 2023, at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Member representing the South East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has described as painful, the death of the former Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu CON SAN. Onuigbo stated this in a condolence message released on Thursday afternoon, in Umuahia.

Recalling Akeredolu’s life of service first as a lawyer, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Attorney General of Ondo State, and as Governor of Ondo State, Onuigbo said that while we mourn the demise of the former Governor, “…we must be grateful for the services he rendered to our great country, and celebrate him for the life he lived. “

Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, in Germany, following a protracted battle with leukemia.

By Rep. Sam Onuigbo

Currently, Nigeria’s Climate Change Act is the only standalone legal framework from which the totality of Nigeria’s efforts at climate change mitigation, adaptation, structured sustainable development, and transition to a low-carbon resilient economy draw breath. While there may be enacted complementary laws to help attain the objectives of the Act in other sectors, the Act remains the overarching legal framework for climate action in Nigeria.

Passed by the National Assembly during the second to third quarters of 2021, the Bill which gave birth to the Act was eventually signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on November 17, 2021. Thereafter, President Buhari went on to appoint the first Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, and convene the first meeting of the Council, in 2022.

One key provision of the Act aimed at giving climate change the high-level attention it deserves is the composition of the National Council on Climate Change-- Nigeria's highest decision-making body on climate change. Accordingly, Section 3(1) of the Act establishes the Council, while Section 5(1) lists the composition of the Council with (very importantly) the President as the Chairman of the Council.

The Act goes on to list the following as other members of the Council: the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Vice Chairman. the Ministers responsible for Environment, Petroleum Resources, Budget and National Planning, Justice, Mines and Steel Development, Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, Power, Women Affairs, Transportation, Water Resources; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; the National Security Adviser; the Chairman of Nigerian Governors' Forum; the President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria; a representative of the private sector on climate change or environment-related matters, nominated by the most representative registered national umbrella association; a representative of women, youths, and persons with disabilities, each to be nominated by the most representative registered national umbrella association; a representative of environment related Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), appointed by the President, on the recommendation of the Minister responsible for Environment; and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, who shall serve as the Secretary.

I have painstakingly listed in details the members of the Council as provided for by the Climate Change Act to make three points:
Firstly, to address some of the concerns expressed by some citizens about the different Ministers who were part of the government delegation to the just concluded 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). Climate Change is a cross-cutting crisis and thus demands a multifaceted approach. The Act recognised this.

Secondly, to draw attention to the fact that prior to leaving for COP28, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had spoken to his cabinet members and charged them to attend COP28 with the mindset of using the platform to advance the interests of Nigeria in bilateral meetings and other engagements. Each Minister was handed a roster to that effect. It was such a careful roster that each Minister was assigned specific meetings and engagements to attend and represent Nigeria effectively and productively.

Thirdly, in mandating his Ministers and other members of the Council on what to do, President Tinubu was effectively acting according to the spirit and letters of the Climate Change Act.

Recall that during the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly, the President had said:

“As we approach COP 28 climate summit, a pivotal moment for global climate action, I have directed relevant government agencies to diligently work towards securing substantial funding commitments that will bolster Nigeria’s energy transition. It is imperative that we seize this opportunity to attract international partnerships and investments that align with our national goals. I call upon our representatives to engage proactively to showcase the strides we have made in the quest to create an enabling environment for sustainable energy projects. Together, we will strive for Nigeria to emerge from COP 28 with tangible commitments, reinforcing our dedication to a future where energy is not only a catalyst for development, but also a driver of environmental stewardship.” (my emphasis).

By saying, "Together, we will..." President Tinubu fully wore his hat as the Chairman of the Council as stipulated by the Act. Not only did he charge each of his Ministers to focus on specific areas in accordance with the multifaceted nature of climate action, and the provisions of the Climate Change Act, he further embodied his position as the Chairman of the Council by leading from the front. This he did not only by being physically present in Dubai, but also personally attending series of meetings and engagements, some of which I was opportuned to be part of. This, too, is indeed in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Act.

Recognising also the role of civil society and the private sector as provided by the Act, UNFCCC accreditation badges (although individual travels were not funded by the FG) were provided for several CSOs and private sector players to enable them engage with potential funders, which will eventually be used to drive climate action in Nigeria. Consequently, some governors and so many captains of industries from Nigeria attended COP28.

Further, in line with Section 4(i) of the Act, President Tinubu announced on December 2, 2023, at COP28, that Nigeria has constituted a special committee to activate the country’s national carbon market strategy, and accordingly appointed Zach Adedeji, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Dr. Salisu Dahiru, Director General, National Council on Climate Change as Co-chairmen.
All these actions show a total commitment towards a comprehensive implementation of the Climate Change Act and the realisation of its important goal of a low-carbon, sustainably developed Nigeria. President Tinubu would further affirm his commitment to this in his article entitled “Africa can become the world’s green manufacturing powerhouse” which was published by Cable News Network (CNN) on the final day of COP28. Therein,he informed the world that “Nigeria has taken significant steps and acted decisively in enacting the Climate Change Act and committing to net-zero emissions between 2050 and 2070,” and went ahead to state that as part of the country’s commitment, during COP28, Nigeria launched the Nigerian Carbon Market Initiative and “ signed an agreement with a German energy firm to massively convert flared gas into high-grade natural gas exports to Europe. This is critical to reducing one of the major ways the country contributes to global greenhouse gases.”

While COP28 may not have delivered as the perfect UNFCCC COP, a whole lot of gains were recorded. For instance, we witnessed, for the first time, a decision to work towards phasing out of fossil fuels and the tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030. This is an important commitment, which seeks to keep us on the 1.5 degrees pathway. We also saw the historic adoption of the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund on the first day of the conference and the eventual raising of initial funds for it in order to help vulnerable and developing countries deal with the losses and damages caused by climate change. Africa would also secure a major win in the adoption of the Global Goal on Adaptation Framework, and the special attention to food systems, which led to the release of the FAO Roadmap and Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation. Again, this aligns with President Tinubu’s inaugural speech on food security.
As a country, there are many ways in which Nigeria will benefit enormously from the successes recorded at COP28, especially by the President comprehensively activating the implementation of the Climate Change Act. While we have launched our Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), we were also able to secure a fast tracking of the implementation of the Siemens agreement; set up a committee to draft our national carbon market strategy; launch the Nigerian Carbon Market Initiative; sign a landmark agreement to establish a 1GW solar PV within the country to address the key issue of energy which will in turn unlock the economic potential of several other sectors in the country including health, agriculture, education, etc. There are also several gains in the pipeline as a result of many bilateral and private business meetings.

Climate change demands not just high-level action, but also comprehensive multilevel action if the world is to fully address it. This fact was taken into consideration in the drafting of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act. What President Tinubu has done over the past few months was to fully apprehend the overarching provisions of the Act and to judiciously commence the comprehensive implementation of the Act to the letter. This is great news for Nigeria and indeed Africa.



*Sam Onuigbo, former Member of the House of Representatives is the sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act and one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change 2023. He is on X as @OnuigboSI.

A number of Professors from Nigeria have lauded the sponsor of Nigeria's Climate Change Act, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, referring to him as a worthy achiever, forward-looking visionary, and a quintessential climate change leader.

This was contained in a congratulatory message published by the Professors in The Guardian Newspaper on Friday December 22, 2023 in recognition of the former national lawmaker's emergence as one of 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change by New York-based Business Insider.

Acknowledging Onuigbo's unparalleled contributions to global climate action which included the sponsorship of Nigeria's Climate Change Act; championing the implementation of the GLOBE GEF6 project "GLOBE Legislators Advancing REDD+ and Natural Capital Governance Towards the Delivery of the 2030 Agenda" in Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria; expanding conversations among African and global legislators on the importance of national and subnational climate change legislations; etc., the Dons stated that Onuigbo's recent efforts at ensuring that climate change considerations and resilience building are incorporated into the development plans of the North East point to his extraordinary commitment and persistence in ramping up climate action.

Accordingly, they affirmed that:

"Going by these sterling efforts, we make bold to recall that during plenary on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, you were acknowledged by the House of Representatives and the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas PhD, as a worthy Ambassador of the Hallowed Chambers in recognition of your emergence as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change in 2023. We are not only happy to be associated with your forward-looking efforts and drive, but also note that this recognition is indeed a call to more service."

Rep. Onuigbo who thanked the Professors for their kind words, affirmed his commitment to continue to focus on impacful leadership targeted at building a sustainable and resilient future for all people.

The congratulatory message was signed by: Professor Munzali Jibril FNIM; Professor Ikenna Onyido; Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba: Professor Muktar Abdulkadir; Professor Olukayode Oladipo; Professor Paul Ananaba SAN; Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe; Professor Chukwumerije Okereke: Professor Chiedozie Egesi; Professor Marc N. Ogbuagu; Professor Eli Jidere Bala; PRofessor Azubuike Onyebuchi; Professor Sam Erugo SAN; and Professor Ubom Bassey.

Sam Onuigbo, a member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), has served in various capacities, including political, administrative, and advocacy positions.

Here are 6 things to know about him.

1. Early Life and Education

Born on Nigeria’s Independence Day in 1960, Abia politician Sir Sam Onuigbo’s educational journey began at Community Primary School Obuohia Obi-Ibere. He later attended Oboro Secondary Commercial School, Umudike, and Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, earning a National Certificate in Education in 1983. Pursuing higher education, he obtained a Diploma in Law from the University of Lagos and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

2. International Training

Onuigbo’s quest for knowledge led him to the prestigious John F Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, USA, where he attended an Executive Education Programme on Leadership. He also underwent courses at the US Department of State Foreign Service Institute and trained in Finance, Accounting, and Corporate Governance. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, London, and a Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management. As a member of ASIS International, USA, he demonstrated commitment to professional development.

3. Career at U.S. Embassy

With an illustrious career spanning nearly eighteen unbroken years at the U.S Embassy (now US Consulate General Lagos, Nigeria), Onuigbo excelled, reaching the position of Supervisory Fraud Prevention Specialist. His tenure earned him several Meritorious Honour awards from the U.S Department of State, showcasing his dedication and expertise in the field.

4. Political Journey

On the national stage, Onuigbo served as the Special Adviser, Public Affairs, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives, during the 6th Assembly. At the state level, he held key positions, including Commissioner for Lands and Survey and Commissioner for Finance in Abia State. Representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency from 2015-2023, he became the first to be re-elected from the constituency.

5. Leadership Roles in the House of Representatives

During the 8th Assembly, Onuigbo chaired the House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, showcasing his commitment to environmental issues. Currently, he holds the position of Vice President (Africa) of GLOBE International and serves as Chairman of the Security, Special Interventions, and Climate Change Committee, as well as a Member of the Governing Board, North East Development Commission. Between 2016 to 2019, he was the Vice President of GLOBE Nigeria, and later served as President of the body between 2019 to 2023. He was also Chairman of Climate Parliament Nigeria between 2020 to 2023.

6. Global Recognition for Climate Advocacy

In 2023, Onuigbo’s impact extended globally as he was nominated as part of the Climate Action 30 Global Leaders. Recognised for his leadership in Africa, particularly in sponsoring Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021, he joined an impressive list of activists and leaders dedicated to environmental solutions. Expressing gratitude for the nomination, Onuigbo highlighted the collective effort involved in enacting the Climate Change Act and thanked his fellow lawmakers for their support. His achievements also include being inducted into the Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame for the 9th Assembly, showcasing his exceptional contributions to Nigerian governance.

Bonus

On November 28, 2023, Rep Sam Onuigbo was acknowledged by the House of Representatives and the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on the floor of the House, as a worthy ambassador of the House of Representatives in recognition of his emergence as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change in 2023.

Member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing extraordinary leadership in advancing climate action in Nigeria. Onuigbo made this known during NTA’s “Good Morning Nigeria” show on Monday.

Reacting to question on Nigeria’s gains from COP28 so far, Onuigbo who is the Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions at the NEDC, said that President Tinubu is leading negotiations and bilateral meetings in order to ensure that the country strikes deals and agreements that will help the country gain grounds in low carbon industrialisation, food security, energy, etc. He stated that President Tinubu’s first action in showing how seriously he took the conference was in mandating his Ministers and other personnel to approach COP28 with seriousness and ensure they return with partnerships that will help the country grow.

The former National Lawmaker further drew attention to paragraphs 23,24,25 of President Tinubu’s Budget Presentation speech at the National Assembly where the President strongly affirmed his administration’s commitment to leverage on the opportunities of COP28 to advance Nigeria’s efforts at increased climate action.

Speaking on key landmarks so far at COP28, Onuigbo referred to the historic Loss and Damage Fund operationalisation; the commitment of countries to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 (especially the commitment of the US, China, the UAE, and the European Union) and the need for Africa to leverage on this; the enormous attention being paid to sustainable food systems and its importance for Nigeria as it aligns with President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food insecurity in the country; etc.

Listing what Nigeria has been able to achieve so far, the former Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency highlighted the launch of Nigeria’s Long Term Low Emissions Development Strategy; the President being physically present and leading bilateral conversations; Nigeria signing an agreement for accelerated action with Siemens to boost electricity generation; the President’s commitment to roll out 100 electric buses as an initial step to decarbonising the transport sector; etc.

Onuigbo who drew attention to Kenyan President, William Ruto, publicly commending President Tinubu as an example of African leaders’ willingness to take difficult decisions that will help advance climate action said that by removing petroleum subsidy and signing into law the Electricity Act 2023, President Tinubu showed the courage to decarbonise the economy and place the country on the path to sustainable development.

He called on Nigerians to rally round the President to ensure that in making plans for our growth and development, sustainability and resilience building are entrenched.

On November 27, 2023, New York-based Business Insider recognised Rep. Sam Onuigbo as one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change. Business Insider’s Climate Action 30 identifies 30 of the top global activists, business leaders, academics, community leaders, and others from around the world who are working toward climate and environmental solutions.

Member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has felicitated with the Transition Committee Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Comrade Osinachi Nwaka, and his Deputy, Chief Charles Ugboajah, following their assumption of office.

Onuigbo sent this message from Dubai, United Arab Emirates where he is part of the Nigerian delegation to the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP28).

The former National Lawmaker who observed that the appointments of Comrade Nwaka and Chief Ugboajah came at a time when Ikwuano is in dire need of effective local government administration, expressed his happiness that Ikwuano is blessed with dedicated and hardworking individuals. He therefore affirmed his belief that with the inputs of the new appointees, the local government will achieve progress and positive change in various areas including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development.

He therefore wished both of them well, and expressed his hope of witnessing the positive changes and progress they will bring to the local government.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas PhD, has described Rep. Sam Onuigbo as a worthy ambassador of the House of Representatives. Rt. Hon. Abbas made this known during plenary on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

While reading out a notification and commendation on Rep. Onuigbo following his recognition as one of 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change, the Honourable Speaker referred to the passage of the Climate Change Act by the 9th Assembly and how this Act, sponsored by Rep. Onuigbo, has positioned Nigeria to tackle climate change and position her for resilience and sustainable development.

He therefore commended and congratulated Rep. Onuigbo for his giant strides.

Recall that New York-based Business Insider had on Monday, November 27, 2023, released its list of 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change. According to them, the “Climate Action 30 list highlights 30 of these top global leaders working to address the climate crisis through collectivism, community, and accountability.”

Rep. Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, has continued to drive conversations on climate action, renewable energy, sustainable development, and green growth, across the world.

Member, Governing Board (South-East) and Chairman, Committee on Security, Climate Change and Special Interventions, North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has been confirmed by New York-based Business Insider as one of the 30 Top Global Leaders on Climate Change.

In a year when the world has felt the worst impacts of climate change leading NASA to declare this year as the hottest year ever since 1880, Onuigbo has been recognised as championing collectivism, community, and accountability in a global collaboration to address the existential issues associated with climate change.

According to Business Insider, its 30 Global Climate Leaders’ list “showcases an electric mix of dedicated climate leaders—whether they are on the front lines, in the board room, at the policy table, or in the classroom.”

Onuigbo's award was based on his leadership on climate action in Africa and across the world, and a growing commitment to continue to drive just climate action globally.

Accepting the recognition, Onuigbo in his Call to Action said: “Science and events around us tell us that our world will be destroyed if we do not take action immediately. So, there is no time for more talk. This should be all about Action, Action!"

Recall that Rep. Onuigbo sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act and has subsequently been at the forefront of driving climate action in Nigeria, Africa, and the world, including recently championing conversations on engendering fossil fuels divestment in Africa and a structured transition to renewables.

By Rep. Sam Onuigbo

It is on record that 151 countries have pledged to attain net zero emissions. Yet, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s Emissions Gap Report 2023, which was released earlier this month, shows that countries all over the world are doubling down on coal, oil, and gas production, with coal production estimated to peak in 2030, while oil and gas will peak in 2050. The report further disclosed that the total greenhouse gases emissions in 2022 reached 57.4GtCO2e up 1.2% from 2021. Undoubtedly, emissions from fossil fuels make up 2/3rds of total emissions. This is very much contrary to the scientific recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the recorded pledges of governments.

This disturbing development has led the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to remark that “…governments are doubling down on fossil fuel production; that spells double trouble for people and planet.”
While this amplifies the lip service being paid by governments, it is more startling that “… the addiction to fossil fuels still has its claws deep in many nations. Governments are planning to produce, and the world is planning to consume, over double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than is consistent with the pathway to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C,” says Inger Anderson, Chief Executive of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The multifaceted problems posed by climate change were again highlighted at the recent trilateral climate change and health symposium convened by the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). At this symposium, the Director-General of WHO, Dr Ghebreyesus, declared, “[t]he world’s addiction to fossil fuels is an act of self-harm. This addiction not only drives the climate crisis but is a major contributor to air pollution, which kills almost seven million people every year – a death every five seconds. The health community has a critical role in protecting people from the escalating climate threats to health.”
In September, NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies announced that the summer of 2023 was the hottest summer since NASA began to keep global records since 1880. Accordingly, June, July, and August were 0.23 degrees Celsius warmer than any other summer since 1880.
The troubling thing is that even though science warns us to stop, pecuniary reasons and a total bullheaded disregard for the future have forced people, who should otherwise be strategic and responsible, to focus on the gains of now, to the detriment of the future of their children. Curiously, negative intervening circumstances like the Russia-Ukraine War, Israel-Hamas War, post-Covid challenges, etc., are given as excuses or reasons for this worrisome development.

Historically, emissions from developed countries led to the climate crisis. But, developing countries, especially in Africa, continue to bear the brunt of the negative impacts of the climate crisis. Africa’s contribution to global emissions is less than 4 percent, yet the continent continues to demonstrate its commitment in addressing climate change. For example, among other efforts by the continent, the 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit affirmed the Republic of Kenya to co-host with the AU, the African Climate Summit (ACS) which was held in Nairobi from 4th to 6th September 2023. During this inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) African Heads of State and Government as an outcome of the Summit endorsed the Africa Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action. The Declaration shows practical actions that the continent is taking and also what is needed to address climate change. It also puts forward the immense green opportunities that Africa offers to the world in solving the climate crisis.

Ordinarily, one would have expected that those who created the climate crisis will perhaps take leadership and help other countries struggling to industrialise with the support to navigate through their own industrialization process in a clean and sustainable way. Yet, what the developing world has witnessed non-stop is a total lip service to climate action. From failing to meet agreed-upon financial commitments, through a total refusal to be amenable to current conversations for more support to help developing countries, to the intermittent recourse to coal and other fossil fuels when it suits them, developing countries barely have any role models to look up to.
At a point when leadership is demanded for the future of the world, it does appear that the world must once again look to Africa— the cradle of life—to champion an unselfish drive for the preservation of our world.

Incidentally, most of the key powers in Africa, such as Nigeria, are heavily dependent on fossil fuels for revenue. Yet, these countries are grossly impacted by climate change and suffer from chronic energy poverty. There are also the issues of underdevelopment, poverty, and lack of technological know-how. All of these combine as huge challenges to efforts at transition and seem to make the case for more investments in fossil fuels.

But that is a very dangerous path for African countries to continue to toe. In the first instance, dependence on fossil fuel is highly unsustainable. This is because most of the industrialised regions and markets like China, Europe, US, India, etc., for Africa’s fossil fuel, are today rapidly transitioning to cleaner forms of energy through massive investments in this sector. When that happens, countries in Africa that are dependent on fossil fuel for revenue will have little to no markets and consequently be left with stranded assets. Secondly, science has shown that fossil fuels play a huge role in driving climate change and thus destroying our world. Since Africa is heavily impacted by climate change, it amounts to self-sabotage to continue with what negatively impacts its people.

Africa also has a pressing need to industrialise in order to position itself as a fully developed continent capable of addressing the critical issues of poverty, hunger, disease, unemployment, infrastructural deficit, etc. The vast raw materials of renewable energy available to the continent can serve (with technological support and proper planning) as the springboard to launch the continent into a sustainable and prosperous future. So, while divestments in fossil fuel is also about showing leadership in the fight to save our future, it is also an important pathway to securing Africa’s future and addressing critical issues facing its people.

According to the text of the Nairobi Declaration, African leaders are committed to, “focusing our economic development plans on climate-positive growth, including expansion of just energy transitions and renewable energy generation for industrial activity, climate-aware and restorative agricultural practices, and essential protection and enhancement of nature and biodiversity.” Yet African leaders are “concerned that despite Africa having an estimated 40 percent of the world’s renewable energy resources, only $60billion or two percent of US$3trillion renewable energy investments in the last decade have come to Africa. Meeting the 300 Giga Watts (GW) target by 2030 at an estimated cost of $600billion translates to a tenfold increase in the finance capital flowing into Africa’s renewable energy sector over the next seven years.”

This is why as the world prepares to gather in the United Arab Emirates for COP28, African countries must commence, as a matter of urgency, serious conversations on the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy first in accordance with the commitments of the Nairobi Declaration. Then in line with the urgent need to boost investments in renewables as a way of addressing Africa’s energy poverty and industrialization problems. And thirdly to save our world. This can then be built on post-COP28 with a well-articulated divestment Action Plan that sets clear timelines and articulates specific efforts at strengthening greener and more sustainable means.

It was clearly in a bid to achieve this that African Heads of State and Governments at the ACS urged global leaders to join them “in seizing this unprecedented opportunity to accelerate global decarbonization while pursuing equality and shared prosperity,” particularly when it has been noted “with concern that 600 million people in Africa still lack access to electricity while 970 million lack access to clean cooking.”

It should be emphasized that, “…Africa possesses both the potential and the ambition to be a vital component of the global solution to climate change. It is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce, coupled with massive untapped renewable energy potential, abundant natural assets, and entrepreneurial spirit, [and] has the fundamentals to pioneer a climate-positive pathway as a thriving, cost-competitive industrial hub with the capacity to support other regions in achieving their net zero ambitions.”

Fortunately, in Nigeria, there have been promising movements in this direction. After over six decades of circumscribing electricity generation on the Exclusive Legislative List, the 9th National Assembly of Nigeria in 2023, amended the Nigerian Constitution and moved electricity from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List. The same Assembly then passed the Electricity Bill 2023.
Earlier, upon his assumption of office, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of the petroleum subsidy. Also, just about ten days after assuming office, he signed the Nigerian Electricity Act 2023 into law.

These commendable efforts have done two things for the country. While subsidy removal brings to an end the disproportionate injection of government revenue into the petroleum market, it was quickly followed up with the launch of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and the roll out of CNG-powered vehicles. But, even as CNG is still fossil fuel, resorting to it as a first step towards renewable energy is a move in a commendable direction.

The Electricity Act on its own liberalizes the electricity industry and encourages investments in renewable and clean energy and the establishment of mini and off-grids. Sections 142 and 143 of the Act are informative on this, and we have started seeing results. Several State Governments have passed their own electricity laws. Particularly, in Ekiti State, we are witnessing how mini grids spearheaded by IKEA Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) are transforming communities by powering local businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, etc.

One expects to see more of these but in a structured manner that recognises the urgent need to divest and transit in a just and equitable manner from fossil fuels especially now that data shows that energy from renewable sources are in fact cheaper than energy from fossil fuels. What more? What is the essence of continuing to invest in infrastructures that will be obsolete in a little under a century when that fund can be directed to more sustainable investments?

The incentive for potential investors is that Africa has about 600million people without access to electricity and 970million people without access to clean cooking methods. As I said at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, in 2021, during COP26, and recently reiterated in my presentation at the Kenyan National Parliament during the Africa Climate Summit, this is a huge market for investors. It reminds one of the telecoms revolutions in Nigeria and how many telecoms companies from developed world failed to take advantage of the large market due to perceived “market risks.” Those who eventually took “risks” have made trillions of dollars over the past three decades. Another opportunity beckons. As such, this is the time to take advantage of this virgin and sustainable market instead of continuing in bullheaded investment in fossil fuels.

This divestment process must begin today with Action Plans earmarking steps to replace dependence on fossil fuel. Doing this will be of great service to the continent and the world while also ensuring that attention is massively paid to bolstering other sustainable economic pathways for the continent.

The world needs an unselfish leader at this critical time. Africa must show up.

Sam Onuigbo, a former Member of the Nigerian Parliament, who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021 is an appointee of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, where he serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Security, Climate Change, and Special Interventions. He is on X as @OnuigboSI.


Image credit: Seeking Alpha

Member representing the South East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo has commiserated with the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and the families of deceased persons from the Ogbor Hill tragedy.

Onuigbo who spoke to newsmen upon his return to Abuja from a tour of the North East on Saturday morning, said he was devastated to read of the tragedy.

The former national lawmaker who condoled with the Abia State Governor, the people of Aba, and the families of the deceased and injured expressed his hope that under Governor Otti, the Abia State Government will find a solution to the issue of heavy duty trucks destroying lives and properties on the Aba River bridge.

Speaking further, Rep. Onuigbo said government must find a way to regulate the use of heavy trucks in the country and ensure that the strictest form of road worthiness is enforced.

On Tuesday, a trailer conveying a 40-feet trailer ran into another trailer and a Sienna after a brake failure.

Member representing the South East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, and the All Progressives Congress’ Senatorial candidate for Abia Central Senatorial district in the 2023 general elections, Rep. Sam Onuigbo has congratulated Senator Austin Akobundu on his victory at the Appeal Court and subsequent swearing in as the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial district.

Onuigbo made this known in a statement released on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, in Abuja.

The former national lawmaker who recognised the essential position of the judiciary as the final arbiter during conflicts, said Colonel Akobundu’s victory is testament to the fact that the judiciary remains the common man’s last resort to peaceful arbitration.

Speaking on the character of Colonel Akobundu, Rep. Onuigbo said that Colonel Akobundu's determination to contest the outcome of the 2023 Senatorial election in Abia Central in court highlights his commitment to deepening Nigeria's democratic process and serves as testament to the enduring and collective spirit of nde Ikwuano.

He charged the Senator to leverage on the benevolence of the legal system to make his time in the Red Chambers count for the good of the people of Abia Central in particular and Nigerians in general.

Recall that the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos had on November 4, 2023, sacked Darlington Nwokocha of the Labour Party as the Senator for Abia Central and declared Colonel Austin Akobundu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful winner.

See the letter after the cut:

The Member representing the South East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, Rep. Sam Onuigbo has felicitated with Honourable Emmanuel Trump Eke on his appointment as the Abia State Commissioner of the National Population Commission.

Onuigbo who described Honourable Eke’s appointment as a well-deserved one, used the opportunity to commend the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for standing firm behind his people and always pushing for the overall good of his people.

Honourable Eke is one of the twenty Commissioners of the National Population Commission, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

A member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission and Chairman of the Commission’s Committee on Security, Special Interventions, and Climate Change, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has called for the implementation of climate change policies and actions from the national level to the grassroots as a means of delivering on sustainable growth and development. Onuigbo made this call in a goodwill message which he presented during the regional workshop on “Climate-smart Soil Practices for Improved Food security” which was held on 7-8 November in Abuja.

Onuigbo who acknowledged the intersection between sustainable and climate-smart soil practices and food security, said efforts at addressing such critical issues must pay attention to the composition of the country:
“As we formulate policies, seek training in technology and knowledge, and develop action plans to drive this ambition, we should also remember that the only way we can succeed is by taking these policies down to the grassroots through the involvement and collaboration of the subnational and local government levels. As a rule, we must remember that vertical integration of ideas and policies is key, and therefore it must be vigorously applied.”

The former national lawmaker and sponsor of the Sam Onuigbo Climate Change Act highlighted that climate change has played a key role in hunger, poverty, and insecurity in the country and should therefore be taken seriously. Referencing the UN Resolution 68/212 of December 20, 2013, Rep. Onuigbo outlined how drought, desertification, unsustainable soil management, combine to create food insecurity in the country.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for declaring a state of emergency on food insecurity highlighting that if the country tackles food insecurity, it would have tackled most of its core needs including unemployment, insecurity, poverty, and hunger.

The regional workshop on climate-smart soil practices was convened by the National Council on Climate Change in partnership with the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP).

The sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021– often referred to as the “Sam Onuigbo Act— and
Governing Board Member and Chairman Committee on Security, Special Interventions, and Climate Change,
of the North East Development Commission(NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo has been nominated as part of
the Climate Action 30 Global Leaders 2023. This is part of Business Insider’s One Planet program . 

Conveying Onuigbo’s nomination, Lily Katzman, Editor, Special Projects, of the Business Insider said: 

“We’re excited about honoring you and your work on an issue as urgent as the climate crisis — one that our
audience cares deeply about…Climate Action 30 identifies 30 of the top global activists, business leaders,
academics, community leaders, and others from around the world who are working toward climate and
environmental solutions.”

The nomination is in recognition of Rep. Onuigbo’s inspiring work as a climate leader in Africa which has seen
him sponsor and push for assent of the Nigerian Climate Change Act 2021; drive legislative action on climate
change across Africa and the world; and persistently champion the mainstreaming of climate considerations in
development plans through lectures, papers, and lobbying. 

Responding to the nomination, Rep. Onuigbo expressed his happiness that people recognise the sacrifice and
hard work that went into the enactment of the Climate Change Act. He thanked God and all the people who
contributed and supported the process. 

Onuigbo who said he was dumbfounded by the honour especially because he never met or held any
conversations with the organisers prior, said it was an honour earned, not purchased. 

The former National lawmaker joins an impressive list of Climate Action leaders including last year’s
winners: Lioz Etgar Professor of Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Jerome Foster II, White House
climate advisor and environmental-justice activist; Sônia Guajajara, Leader, Articulation of Indigenous Peoples
of Brazil; Sophia Kianni, US representative on the United Nations’ Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
and founder, Climate Cardinals; amongst others.

Rep. Sam Onuigbo has said that Nigeria must begin a systematic shift away from fossil fuels. The former national lawmaker and sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021– often referred to as the Sam Onuigbo Act— stated this while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Onuigbo who said that the Climate Change Act seeks to “foster low carbon emission and develop a sustainable environment in the country” entreated that the country must now commence the shift to renewable energy and move away from fossil fuels in order to lay the foundation for sustainable growth.

“I am positive that the Council, given its composition and leadership will deliver on this important national assignment,” he affirmed speaking on the National Council on Climate Change which is headed by the President.

Rep. Onuigbo, who is the current Chairman, Committee on Security, Special Interventions and Climate Change, and Member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), pointed out that climate change is an existential issue so Nigeria must join other countries of the world to take serious action to combat climate change and set the country on the path of sustainable growth.

“This is an existential problem that if not challenged now will create more complex problems in the future. Growing up in the village I used to know six springs and as I am talking to you now five of them have dried up,” he pointed out as an example of the impacts of climate change.

Reacting to the critical efforts by Onuigbo to ensure that Nigeria gets a Climate Change Act, Professor Ubom Bassey of the Department of Science and Environmental Education, University of Abuja, hailed Onuigbo for fighting doggedly for the enactment of the Act and said that effective implementation of the Act is critical to the future of Nigeria.

Recall that the Climate Change Act— Nigeria’s standalone legal framework for combating climate change— was sponsored by Rep. Onuigbo in the 8th and 9th Assembly and signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, on 17th November, 2021 after initially refusing assent to the Bill in the 8th Assembly.

Former Member of the House of Representatives and Governing Board Member (Southeast) of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Rep. (Sir) Sam Onuigbo has urged all Nigerians to now rally round President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move the country forward. Rep. Onuigbo made this call in a congratulatory message he sent to President Tinubu following Mr. President’s victory at the Supreme Court.

Onuigbo who stated that the judgment by the Supreme Court has finally brought to an end the Presidential election process, called on all well meaning Nigerians to set aside political and ideological differences and support President Tinubu’s “progressive and unique vision of a great Nigeria.”


The full statement reads:

[b]I congratulate His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on his victory at the Supreme Court.

The affirmation of his electoral victory by the Justice John I. Okoro-led panel of the Supreme Court brings to an end the entire electoral process of the 2023 Presidential election.

Now that the Supreme Court has affirmed Mr. President’s electoral victory, all Nigerians, irrespective of party or ideological differences, must now rally round him as he continues the implementation of his progressive and unique vision of a great Nigeria. This vision is one born out of championing competence and laying a solid foundation for a prosperous country where everyone stands a chance to achieve his/her dreams.

With President Tinubu at the helm, there is indeed hope for a better Nigeria and so, we must all support him for the good our beloved country.

Congratulations once again, Mr. President.

Sir Rep. Sam Onuigbo FCIS, FNIM
Member (South East)
North East Development Commission Governing Board.
October 27, 2023. [/b][i][/i]

Former Member of the House of Representatives and current Board Member of the North East Development Commission, Rep. Sam Onuigbo has said that the Commission is committed to realising the visions of the North East Development Roadmap.

Onuigbo made that known in a statement released on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

Reacting to series of groundbreaking events carried out by the Board over the weekend,which were officiated by the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, the former lawmaker said the current board is committed to the realisation of the North East Development Masterplan which is anchored on a commitment to the sustainable development of the region with critical aspects of this vision being the provision of infrastructural development and humanitarian support to the people of the region in order to rebuild the region from the devastating impacts of insecurity and climate change.

Recall that on Saturday, September 9, 2023, the NEDC invited the Vice President to break ground on the commencement of the construction of the 22.5KM Jere Bowl Road network; and to help in the distribution of hundreds of thousands of food and non-food palliatives to the people of the region.


Full Statement below:

-------------------------------

Over the weekend, we at the North East Development Commission, were in Borno State, to carry out series of initiatives for the betterment of the region in line with the mandate of the Commission.

The events which were officiated by the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, include:

— the commencement of the construction of the 22.5KM Jere Bowl Road network. The road network which consists of three phases viz: 10.5KM stretch from Ngowom to Koshebe (Galameri); a 3.5KMsection connecting Ngowom to Dusman; and an 8.5KM segment spanning from Gongulong through Zabarmari to Khaddamari, is aimed at boosting economic activities, bolstering security, and improving trade and movements within the region. The groundbreaking for the project was carried out by the Vice President.

— in line with Mr President’s commitment to the provision of palliatives to cushion the economic challenges in the country, the Commission also provided food and non-food palliatives to the people of the region in order to provide succour to them. This is part of extensive humanitarian interventions and palliative initiatives provided by the Commission.

—attending the 8th meeting of the North East Governors’ Forum at the Government House in Maiduguri.

The North East Development Masterplan is anchored on a commitment to the sustainable development of the region. Critical aspects of this vision is the provision of infrastructural development and humanitarian support to the people of the region as we rebuild from the devastating impacts of insecurity and climate change. The present Board is fully committed to this vision and will vigorously pursue its realisation.

Rep. Sam Onuigbo FCIS, FNIM
Member (South East)
Governing Board
North East Development Commission(NEDC).