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Tag: Chinedum Nwajiuba

  • Strategic climate change policy imperative to national development – IPPAM

    The Institute for Public Policy Analysis & Management ( IPPAM ) has re-echoed the need for Nigeria to evolve an evidence informed climate change policy if the country will achieve sustainable development.

    Professor Eric Eboh, a member of the IPPAM governing council, who stated this during a one-day public policy roundtable with theme “Climate Change, Livelihoods and Public Policy Responses in Nigeria” held at the weekend in Abuja, reiterated that given the situation we find ourselves today, proactive and evidence-based climate change policies critically addressing adaptation and mitigation is imperative for Nigeria’s sustained existence.

    According to him, the increase in violence such as herdsmen/farmers clashes, boko-haram and Niger-Delta militancy; cannot be separated from evolving climate change problems and the resulting environmental resource conflict.

    In his keynote address, – Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba (Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi), lamented the high level of policy inconsistency in Nigeria’s Climate Change landscape; which according to him, is detrimental to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

    The erudite professor warned that if an aggressive climate change policy is not put in place to sustain the social and economic development in the country, the country will lose 11 per cent of Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) to climate change. productivity by up to 11 percent by 2020, and up to 30 per cent by 2050.

    According to him, Nigeria does not have one example of a policy document that goes through the rigour of evidence and research that covers at least 24 states of its states, addressing policy issues around climate change adaptation and mitigation.

    Providing empirical data that supported Prof. Nwajiuba’s position and the urgent cry for coordinated action, Prof. Johnson Onyibo from ABU, Zaria, argued strongly that all stakeholders reconsider the evidence which is becoming alarming and take action.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Director of the Dept. of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Yerimah Peter Tarfa, said that his department has put in place policies, measures and activities that are all inclusive and that are geared towards implementing policies in climate change.

    According to him, the structure of the department is such that there is a greenhouse gas inventory division, vulnerability and adaptation division, mitigation division and the education awareness and outreach. These divisions are supposed to be the entities that will touch on each of the activities that relates to climate change.”

    The event was attended by over 50 organizations from across the public and private sectors as well as climate change civil society practitioners.

  • We have measures in place to tackle climate change, says FG

    The Federal Government at the weekend said it had developed policies and programmes that would help reduce the impact of climate change.

    Director in charge of Climate Change department, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Yerimah Tarfa, stated this at a roundtable series put together by the Institute for Public Policy Analysis and Management ( IPPAM ). 

    Dr. Tarfa, who spoke on the theme: “Climate Change, Livelihoods and Public Policy Responses in Nigeria,” said that his department had put in place policies, measures and activities that are all inclusive and geared towards implementing policies on climate change.

    He said the focal points and approaches of the government in tackling climate change was hinged on adaptation and mitigation.

    He said: “We have put in place a national policy on climate change which is available in our website. 

    “The structure of the department is such that there is a greenhouse gas inventory division, vulnerability and adaptation division, mitigation division and the education awareness and outreach.

    “These divisions are supposed to be the entities that will touch on each of the activities that relates to climate change.”

    He also said Nigeria was the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases through gas flaring.

    Dr. Tarfa therefore said there was need for an urgent action to be taken by government which would enable the country tackle these challenges.

    He also stressed the need to engage climate-smart agriculture and focus more on renewable energy.

    Participants at the IPPAM roundtable series
    Participants at the IPPAM roundtable series

    Member of the Governing Council, IPPAM, Prof. Eric Eboh, said the roundtable series was to foster cross-fertilization of critical thinking, innovative ideas and interactions between researchers, policy practitioners and non-state actors towards canvassing evidence-informed public policy options for sustainable social and economic development in Nigeria and Africa.

    He also added that proceedings and recommendations of the roundtable which featured presentations from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders drawn from the community would be developed and transmitted to relevant government institutions and public policy agencies.

    In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba said it was sad that Nigeria does not have a thorough and comprehensive policy document on climate change.

    Prof. Nwajiuba, who was the keynote speaker said: “The focus on agriculture with respect to the roundtable discussion on climate change is very obvious due to its contributions to the GDP, employment and its vulnerability to climate change.

    “When Nigerians talk about policy, they most times get a few friends to write up a certain document that they will never come around to implement because it never really passed through much rigour, and we call that policy.”

  • FRSC seeks varsities collaboration to curb road crashes

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has called for the collaboration of universities in the country to curb road accidents.

    Mrs Stella Uchegbu, FRSC Sector Commander in Ebonyi, made the call on Saturday at the Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE—FUNAI), during an interactive session with the university community.

    Uchegbu said that universities as citadels of learning have great roles to play in educating and enlightening the populace to obey traffic rules and regulations.

    “I am saddened over loss of lives on the state’s roads with this institution, losing an illustrious professor under such circumstance in 2017.

    “The FRSC immediately intervened and rescued the late professor after the accident as we are determined to prevent death on roads in the state.

    “This might be a tall ambition but actualising it involves the collaboration of all stakeholders including universities with emphasis placed on prevention more than rescue,” he said.

    The sector commander described FRSC officials as rescuers and advised road users, especially drivers, to always drive safely.

    “Drivers should embrace defensive driving to reduce death on our roads despite the various factors which influence driving on the roads.

    “There is an aspect of the traffic mix that predisposes people to road crashes and this consists of human elements: drivers, passengers and pedestrians among others.

    “Drivers should take cognizance of preventive measures to avoid road crashes which include: observing road safety signs, rules and regulations, wearing of seatbelt, genuinely obtaining drivers licenses, among others.

    “Cyclists should always wear their helmets while on the roads and also obey all traffic regulations to stay alive.

    “FRSC wishes to inform the public that driving is not allowed for individuals below 18 years and those above 70 years of age,” she said.

    Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Vice-Chancellor of AE—FUNAI, appreciated the sector commander for the visit and noted that the shared knowledge would greatly enrich the university community.

    “I also thank the staff and students for their large turnout as road crashes had inflicted serious pains on the university.

    “We also assure the public that challenges such as security threats, cultism and theft among others would be seriously tackled to attain the lofty heights set by the university,” he said.

    The Nation reports that road safety tips were given to the university community by officials of the FRSC as both parties interacted on general road safety issues.

    The occasion also witnessed an interdenominational prayer summit to mark the two years in office of the vice-chancellor, with prayers also said for university community members who died of road crashes.

  • Alex Ekwueme varsity withdraws 232 students, suspends 218 for poor performance

    Alex Ekwueme varsity withdraws 232 students, suspends 218 for poor performance

    Two hundred and thirty-two students of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi state have been withdrawn from the school for poor academic performance.

    Also, another 218 of the students have been sent home by the university management for one year for same reason.

    A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Iyke Elom said Vice-chancellor of the University,  Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba  disclosed this during the 6th matriculation of the institution in which over 2, 000 were matriculated.

    The VC noted that the university has no room for indolent students and urged them to take their studies seriously.

    “It is painful to note that of the 1,750 students that we admitted in the 2016/17 session, about 232 were asked to withdraw and another 218 sent home for a year at the end of the session for reasons of poor academic performance.

    “We expect this set to be different. To be different, you have to focus on the main purpose for your coming to FUNAI. You are here simply here to study. Every other thing is secondary. Work hard and behave well, and you will be successful”, he admonished the new students.

    Read Also: FG renames Varsity after Ekwueme

    “In the university you must pass every course you register. This is not a secondary school where you may fail a subject and still move on. I reiterate, you must pass every course you register. You must also attend lectures as attendance to lectures is a prerequisite to sit for examinations”, he charged the students.

    He stressed that out of more than 12,000 applicants who made the University their first choice institution in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination only over 2,000 were admitted to study in the University after going through its Post-UTME test and meeting the other requisite admission criteria.

    Nwajiuba further enjoined the students to work hard in their studies by attending lectures, doing their assignments and participating actively in all their academic activities to avoid the consequences of academic failure.

    Charging the students to shun social vices, the vice-chancellor maintained that the university has zero tolerance to cultism, examination malpractices, sorting, sexual harassment, indecent dressing, stealing and other unwholesome behaviours.

    He warned that culprits would be fished out and sent home. He also informed them that the foundation of the university was built on excellence and

    Integrity, adding that lecturers are not allowed to sell hand-outs while recommended books were only to be purchased in the university bookshop.

    He equally assured them of a serene and conducive learning environment as the challenges faced by their predecessors have been arrested.