Centre For Climate Change NAU Awka Holds First South East Climate Change Summit

Centre for Climate Change, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, has organized the first South-East climate change summit, to draw public attention on the need for the adoption of environment-friendly practices, in order to curb climate challenges facing humanity.

The event with the theme, “Limiting Climate Change Through Local Action”, which took place at Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, attracted environmental experts.

Correspondent Emmanuel Okonkwo reports that while addressing the gathering the, Member representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Chief Sam Onuigbo while regretting the enormous damages already caused by climate change in Nigeria especially in South-East geopolitical zone, called on the people to take charge of their environment and always adhere to environmental laws.

Chief Onuigbo asked governors to among other things, focus more on climate change related issues.

In a speech, the Anambra state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal Mr Mike Okonkwo warned the public against some practices that are detrimental to climate, such as indiscriminate felling of trees without replacement, refuse and bush burning, building of houses on waterways, dumping of refuse inside drainages, improper termination of drainages, among others, listing the likes of global warming as some of the implications of climate change.

The Project Co-ordinator Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, Mr Michael Ivenso revealed that currently Anambra state is battling with over one thousand erosion sites, and called for all to join hands with the government to prevent further environmental hazards.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Charles Esimone who cautioned the public against deforestation, maintained that the environment will be more habitable if everybody will key into tree planting and be more friendly with the environment.

Contributing, South-East Director Water Resources Capacity Building Centre, Dr Emma Ezenwaji who is also the Director, Centre for Climate Change, Nnamdi Azikiwe University noted that the issue of climate change demands urgent action, and called on both state and local governments to combine efforts with the federal government in rescuing the environment especially in the area of sensitization of the masses on how best to manage the environment.