The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the Climate Change Act as one of the life-changing laws in Nigeria today, stating that the act will help protect the environment and the entire ecosystem.

Gbajabiamila said this during an award of excellence presentation given to Hon. Sam Onuigbo, who is the sponsor of the bill, by the House of Representatives Press Corps.

The speaker commended Onuigbo for his doggedness in the passage of the climate change act.

He said, “The Climate Change bill is one of those bills that on the face of it nobody bothers to even try to understand but on the closer examination and a proper understanding of what it entails, it is perhaps one of those life-changing bills, one of those bills that can affect each and every one of us for life. So, I would recommend that many of us do some research on the impact of climate change and how topical it is in the world today. It is a very significant bill.”

The Speaker also said that it was obvious that most Nigerians did not understand the importance of the Act including members of the House of Reps, adding that the House would hold a special lecture where Onuigbo would be invited to share the significance of the climate change act.

“I will organize a lecture for the lawmakers for the sponsor of the Bill to put members of the House of Reps through on the Act.”

“The climate change Act is life-changing and it was an Act that could affect lives.”

He added that Onuigbo was passionate about the Bill, and his doggedness and commitment have earned his respect.

Gbajabiamila explained the legislation is one of such bills that people ignored at first glance without trying to understand it but on closer examination and a proper understanding of what it entails, they would come to understand that it is perhaps one of those life-changing bills.

Reacting to the commendation, Onuigbo said the legislation will help to address the menace of climate change and direct appropriate response.

“Make no mistakes about it, climate change is an existential issue and must be treated as such. Our country Nigeria, must, therefore, take appropriate and coordinated actions in its transition to net-zero so as to avoid being left behind with a lot of stranded assets,” Onuigbo said.

He added that the new legal framework will help the country on its journey towards green recovery, and ultimately ensure sustainable development while preserving the earth for future generations.

Jackson Smith, a representative from the United States Embassy who was at the event, said climate change is a global issue and praised the efforts of the National Assembly to face this challenge in the interest of Nigeria’s future.

Recall that the Climate Change Bill was first introduced in the 7th Assembly and suffered several setbacks.

It was rejected by the president in 2019 for “replicating the function of the Federal Ministry of Environment which is charged with mainstreaming climate responses and actions into government policies but does not suggest the scrapping of the ministry.”

The bill was, however, recently accented to by President Muhammadu Buhari after its amendment.