Nigeria and the wider African continent will continue to align with international protocols on climate change mitigation, environmental sustainability, and energy transition, the new President of GLOBE Legislators, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has said.
Onuigbo gave the assurance in his acceptance speech after his inauguration as President of GLOBE at the organisation’s 35th anniversary ceremony held at the Churchill Room, House of Commons, Parliament of the United Kingdom, London, on Wednesday.
The former Nigerian lawmaker, who becomes the first African to occupy the position, said GLOBE’s work over the years had helped legislators across the world establish guardrails for climate action.
He said, “We must therefore commend them for thirty-five years of intensive efforts which have seen the organisation rise from convening legislators on a cross-party basis to adding a new role as the Focal Point of the UNFCCC’s Parliamentary Group, where it now also convenes parliamentary networks across the world to work collaboratively.
“Under this mandate, GLOBE hosted the first Parliamentary Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai, repeated the feat at COP29 in Baku, and is on course to do so again in COP31 in Antalya. These pavilions provide a point of convergence for legislators to share ideas, showcase their work, and gain further insights from experts across the many fields of climate action.”
Onuigbo also commended parliamentarians from the UK, Africa, Europe, Asia, Central and Latin America, and the Pacific for their continued contributions to climate action, stressing that GLOBE’s efforts would mean little without their commitment to its vision.
Recalling Nigeria’s entry into the global body, Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act in 2021 during the 9th National Assembly, praised former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, for helping introduce GLOBE to Nigeria and supporting its growth across Africa.
He said, “As we now enter a new era, it is my firm commitment that we will continue to build on the ideals and visions of this great organisation. We will build to support parliamentary efforts to progress climate action globally. This is a fire that has been handed to us by great men and women, and we will not let it dim or die.
“In line with the theme of today’s event, ‘Building Political Resilience and Public Consensus for Climate Action at a Time of Severe Domestic and Geopolitical Challenges,’ and as the new President of GLOBE, I will work closely with the Board, staff and our partners to ensure that we begin addressing these critical challenges without delay.”
Outlining his agenda for the organisation, Onuigbo said his leadership would focus on targeted training programmes, strategic advocacy, and stronger parliamentary involvement in climate action.
According to him, “We will collaborate with various stakeholders to promote widespread green investments and climate initiatives globally. As we step into this new era, my main focus will be on specific issues to propel GLOBE forward. These include targeted training programs, strategic advocacy efforts, and increased parliamentary involvement.
“Under my leadership, GLOBE aims to enhance opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity development, and peer learning, while also strengthening collaborations with governments, development agencies, civil society, and the private sector. Our goal is to ensure that climate actions are not only discussed at international legislative forums but also translated into tangible initiatives and actions within communities worldwide.”
He also said GLOBE would prioritise climate education and push for its integration into learning at all levels.
Onuigbo stated, “We will also establish essential frameworks to promote climate education across all educational levels. Since the future of climate action relies on the knowledge, awareness, and leadership of the next generation, it is crucial to integrate these elements into educational curricula to ensure proper information, enlightenment, and communication.”
He added that promoting climate literacy, environmental stewardship, and practical understanding of sustainability would equip younger generations with the mindset and skills needed to confront future environmental challenges.
“Through GLOBE’s programmes and partnerships, we will advocate for the mainstreaming of climate education globally, helping to build a generation that is informed, innovative and prepared to lead the transition to a sustainable future.
“Thankfully, at GLOBE, we are already doing the latter through our Student-MP Climate Surgery, which I oversaw in Nigeria in 2022. We will expand this. We will also find ways to ensure and support the enhancement of parliamentarians’ ability to effect concrete impacts across the world by fostering peer exchanges and, where needed, capacity building.
“Climate change remains one of the defining challenges of our time, and effective responses require informed and empowered legislators who can champion robust policies, enact progressive legislation, exercise leadership and fairness in ensuring that adequate appropriations are made for climate change, provide effective oversight and mobilise public support,” he said.
Onuigbo noted that the outlined priorities were only a fraction of the initiatives his administration intends to pursue over the next year, adding that more steps would be unveiled as consultations continue.
He stressed the central role of lawmakers in climate governance, saying, “And, as GLOBE rightly coined in 2023, ‘Parliaments Make COPs Count,’ indeed, there will be no headway in climate action without parliaments. Therefore, we call on all legislators, development banks, governments, donor agencies, academics, the youth, etc., to rally round us and support parliamentary engagement. Without parliaments, we cannot achieve anything.”
The event formed part of activities marking the London Climate Action Week, with one of the highlights being the ongoing Nigeria Climate Investment Summit, where the country is promoting its carbon market potential and energy transition opportunities.
