Buhari made Nigeria proud on global stage – Onuigbo

The Member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sir Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo, has said the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari has left a deep void for Nigeria.

Onuigbo, a former two-term federal lawmaker, reflected on the long, difficult journey of Nigeria’s Climate Change Bill, which faced multiple rejections in past assemblies before finally being signed into law by Buhari in November 2021 during the 9th National Assembly.

He described the move as a landmark achievement that positioned Nigeria prominently on the global stage. According to Onuigbo, by enacting the Climate Change Act, Buhari made Nigeria stand tall in the international community, winning the country rare respect through his focus on excellence and proactive legislation.

The Climate Change Act established the National Council on Climate Change and provided a framework for the country’s climate action goals, charting a course towards sustainable economic development and a net-zero emissions target by 2050-2070. Onuigbo emphasised that without Buhari’s swift action and personal commitment, Nigeria might have remained a mere observer at crucial United Nations climate summits.

He recalled how Nigeria, equipped with the new Climate Change Act, attended COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and actively contributed to global discussions that led to the agreement on the “Loss and Damage” fund — a financial facility aimed at supporting vulnerable nations affected by climate-induced disasters.

Onuigbo, who originally sponsored the Climate Change Bill, praised Buhari’s leadership, adding that the former President was spurred into action after witnessing the bold resolutions of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland. He also commended the contributions of members of the 9th National Assembly, particularly Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and Senate President Ahmad Lawan, for their roles in bringing the landmark bill to life.

While mourning Buhari’s death, Onuigbo remarked that Nigeria has lost a figure who brought the nation global honour through his bold and timely decisions.