Enugu gets special adviser on climate change, sustainable development

Enugu State government has appointed the Director, Centre for Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof Chukwumerije Okereke, as the Special Adviser on Climate Policy and Sustainable Development.

Okereke, an expert in climate governance, environmental policy, and international development, is regarded as one of Africa’s leading researchers in the fields of climate justice, low-carbon development, and green economic transition. He was appointed to assist the state in designing and executing science-based climate policy, with the goal of contributing to the state’s long-term growth.

Secretary to the Governor of Enugu State, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, who conveyed the appointment in a letter, stated that “the expectation is that Enugu State will significantly benefit from Okereke’s expertise and dedication during the tenure of his appointment.” Onyia added, “The anticipation is that Enugu State will significantly gain from his expertise and dedication during the tenure of his appointment.”

He holds a Chair in Global Governance and Public Policy at the prestigious School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol University, UK. Okereke is also a visiting Professor at the London School of Economics, and a Senior Academic Visitor at the University of Oxford.

Over the last 20 years, Okereke has maintained an extensive high-impact engagement with national governments, businesses, and NGOs in Africa and led several high-profile international projects on climate change policy, mainstreaming, and green economy transition in Africa.

He led the team that analysed the adaptation components of African NDCs for the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the direction of the bank’s Climate and Green Growth Division. He was the founding Project Manager of the Rwandan Green Growth and Climate Resilience Project, which was the first ever national low-carbon plan in Africa.

Okereke was the technical leader of the Climate Change Bill Review Committee convened by the former Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, and was responsible for developing several innovative aspects of the Climate Change Act, including the carbon budget and the DG position of the National Council on Climate Change.

He has led several major national climate change research and policy initiatives, including the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy, Nigeria’s Long-Term Vision, and Which Way Nigeria: Citizens Scenario 2060.

Okereke’s academic merit and international research leadership status are affirmed through his leadership roles in multiple high-profile global Scientist Assessment Projects and networks including as Coordinating Lead Author, of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III Sixth Assessment Report.

Okereke is an awardee of the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Programme of the United States Department of States, and he was recently elected Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in Developing Countries (UNESCO-TWAS) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to science and its promotion in the developing world.

Okereke’s academic merit and international research leadership status are demonstrated by his leadership roles in several high-profile global Scientist Assessment Projects and networks, including his role as Coordinating Lead Author for the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group III Sixth Assessment Report. Prof. Okereke has received the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Programme Award from the United States Department of State, and he was recently elected Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries (UNESCO-TWAS) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to science and its promotion in the developing world.

Commenting on the appointment, Okereke said: “I am very delighted to be part of the transformation agenda in Enugu State to raise the climate consciousness and help develop a science-based plan to reduce climate impacts in the state.

“We have already started the campaign, I just trained 31 young climate leaders in Enugu State in urban greening, air quality measurements and carried out climate education exercises involving over 7,000 children from three public secondary schools and planting of over 100 economic and ornamental trees in strategic locations throughout the city under the International Visitors’ leadership programme (IVLP) impact award given to me by the U.S Department of State Bureau for Education and Cultural Affairs.

“This recognition will spur me to do more for my state in the area of climate awareness in keeping with the city’s reputation as a clean, ambient, and family-friendly metropolis.”