George George Idowu
The representative of the South East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, Mr. Sam Onuigbo, has called for immediate action to address the severe environmental crises in the North-East region of the country.
He said that Nigeria, despite contributing only 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is heavily affected by climate change.
According to Onuigbo, the North-East in particular, faces severe environmental damage from desertification owing to the shrinking of Lake Chad which further endangered the region’s agriculture-based economy.
Speaking at the maiden Climate Change Summit and Retreat organized by the North-East Development Commission in Gombe, Onuigbo emphasized the critical impact of climate change on the region’s long-standing security challenges.
He pointed out that the combination of environmental degradation and insecurity had left millions of people vulnerable.
“These impacts have resulted in forced and hazardous migration, displacement, and competition for scarce resources, which directly exacerbates the perennial security challenges, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, and cattle rustling across the regions, North-West, and North-Central regions,” he stated.
“Rising food insecurity, driven by environmental changes, has contributed to migration and intensified conflicts in the region,” Onuigbo noted, advocating for the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and renewable energy solutions.
He argued that these measures could help boost productivity, generate revenue, and provide sustainable livelihoods for the region’s residents.
In his presentation, Onuigbo detailed solutions such as providing farmers with improved seedlings, sustainable irrigation systems, and training in climate-smart practices.
He also highlighted local and regional commitments to climate initiatives like the Great Green Wall and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, both of which are essential to climate adaptation in the region.
Onuigbo praised the steps taken by North-East states, such as Yobe, for implementing climate change action plans and commended the commitment of local governments in leading climate-related projects.
He also lauded the Federal Government and President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing food security and spearheading efforts on energy transition and climate change mitigation.
He concluded by calling on stakeholders to continue working together in addressing the environmental and security challenges facing the North-East.
“A lot of work has been done in repositioning the North-East, but much more is required to secure the future of the region,” he added.