It was a gathering of who is who in the academic and educational sector in Nigeria as the maiden conference on Climate Justice and Just Energy Transition in Developing countries in honour of Prof. Chinedum Uzoma Nwajiuba at 60 took the centre stage at Coal City University, Enugu. The two days conference was organised by the former students and associates of Nwajiuba in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Change and Development, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State and Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences of Coal City University, (CCU) Enugu, Nigeria. Dubbed the birthday with a difference, it was an honour due to an academic, erudite Professor of Agricultural Economics, climate resilience and advocacy of climate justice and former Vice Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi, State, Nigeria as he hits the milestone of 60. The event which took place at the state-of-the-art auditorium, Coal City University, Enugu witnessed a gathering of high profile academics from the National Universities Commission and many other universities across Nigeria as a mark of honour and respect for the foremost climate change ambassador and an icon. The chancellor, Coal City University, Sir (Dr.) Chinedu Ani was on hand to lend unflinching support to the man of the moment.
The highly rated academic event commenced with a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, Coal City University, Prof Afam Ichia-Ituma, who doubled as the host of the maiden Nwajiuba conference at 60. The management, staff, students and indeed the entire university community were on hand to receive and identify with the celebrant. In company of Nwajiuba was his lovely wife Dr. Chinyere Nwajiuba, mni and other high profile academics from various universities across the country. The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Coal City University, Professor Sylvester Emeka Igwe, stood in for the Vice Chancellor, Afam Icha-Ituma who was unavoidably absent. He led other senior management staff of CCU to receive the celebrant and his entourage.
The Deputy Executive Secretary Academics, Nigerian Universities Commission, Dr. Noel Saliu who represented the Executive Secretary, Ambassador Chris Maiyaki brought good tidings. He thanked CCU for her warm reception and for blazing the trail in university education in Nigeria. He added that, “we are here to celebrate an icon at 60 who has contributed to the body of knowledge and a national colossus in climate change. Prof. Nwajiuba thanked the Vice Chancellor and the university community for providing a fertile ground and support for the conference. He was elated and appreciated the University for encouraging a high number of students to participate in the conference. This conference is about the young ones and the university has the "temperament and emerging character for me to host the event."
Responding, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sylvester Emeka Igwe, welcomed Prof. Nwajiuba and his team to Coal City University and thanked him for finding the university worthy of hosting the maiden edition of his conference. He noted that Prof. Nwajiuba is a mentor to many renowned scholars including the Vice Chancellor of the university. Adding that, the university is proud to be associated with the indefatigable spirit and character of the celebrant.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Afam Icha-Ituma whose address was streamed live welcomed in a special way, the Ag. Executive Secretary of National University Commission, Ambassador Chris Maiyaki, who chaired the opening ceremony of the conference. The Executive Secretary was ably represented the Deputy Executive Secretary of NUC (Academics), Dr. Noel Biodun Saliu, and the high profile team from NUC. The Vice Chancellor in his remarks commended, "the Executive Secretary of NUC for taking keen interest in every aspect of this Coal City University. I applaud him for the giant strides being recorded by the Nigerian University System under his dynamic leadership. Our work in the development of Coal City University has been tremendously enriched by the unflinching support from NUC and we are profoundly grateful, he said"
Continuing the elated VC said, "I am very delighted that our visionary Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sir Chinedu Ani is present at today’s event. We are honoured by his esteemed presence and I thank him so much for all his contributions to ensure the success of this conference. It is with great joy that I heartily welcome our distinguished honouree, Professor Chinedum Uzoma Nwajiuba and his amiable wife Prof Chinyere Nwajiuba, mni and members of the Nwajiuba dynasty and so many colleagues, friends from AE-FUNAI and other universities who have gathered to celebrate Professor Nwajiuba’s 60th birthday anniversary. Special appreciation to Professor Ikenna Uzuegbunam, from Howard University, US. Your presence at Coal City University today, and your contributions to what promises to be a highly engaging and impactful conversation on climate change, demonstrate the level of regard in which Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba is held, and the admiration and respect we all have for him."
Furthermore, "I most especially thank you all for coming to Coal City University to celebrate a remarkable milestone in the life of Professor Nwajiuba, an intellectual giant, and a globally recognised champion of climate justice. Professor Nwajiuba has done the academic community and broader society several admirable services through his institutional leadership, thought leadership, and numerous public services. I had the pleasure of serving in various capacities including as a Dean of Faculty under his dynamic leadership as the Vice-Chancellor of AE-FUNAI. There are different types of institutional leaders. Some cast long shadows in an institution, while others shine sunlight that helps the rest of us find our way and find the paths to make our contributions. My gratitude to Professor Nwajiuba lies here, and I know that many others can report similar experiences. His exceptional and special leadership abilities and charismatic personality were readily apparent in AE-FUNAI and beyond. As we converge on this auspicious occasion, we honour not only Professor Nwajiuba's 60 years of remarkable life but also his tireless dedication to the pursuit of a more sustainable and equitable world. His contributions to the field of climate justice and just energy transition have inspired generations, and his legacy continues to shape our understanding of the critical issues that face our planet. It is, indeed, befitting to host a conference in his honour."
"Indeed, the theme of this conference “Climate Justice and Just Energy Transition in Developing Countries” is very timely and apposite. There is a growing scholarship investigating the ways climate change has uneven impacts throughout the world. Research in the field of climate justice and political ecology addresses how we understand the structural forces shaping human and nonhuman responses to the climate emergency. It is not merely intellectually rewarding to discuss climate justice and related issues in developing countries, but a matter of profound policy relevance. And thanks to the network of Professor Nwajiuba, we are privileged to have many prominent speakers to offer their insights. I am delighted that distinguished experts, thought leaders and policymakers will be sharing their knowledge and experience at this conference. We look forward to hearing what the erudite keynote speaker and panelists have to say on the theme of the conference. I am fully confident that the speakers will go some way to equip us with the capacity to ideate, articulate and implement nature-preserving sustainable practices that will inspire positive change in developing countries, particularly Nigeria. As I end this opening remark, I applaud Professor Nwajiuba’s former students and members of the Local Organising Committee headed by Dr. Robert Onyeneke for having the presence of mind to organise this conference and for working conscientiously to ensure its success. Nwajiuba, an outstanding scholar, educational administrator, institutional builder, former Vice-Chancellor and former pro-chancellor of two universities. Humanity is Professor Nwajiuba’s dominant feature, and that is why beyond esteem, what we all have for him is affection."
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Conference Organising Committee, Dr. Robert Onyeneke said, “today we gathered not only to deliberate on pressing issues but to celebrate a remarkable individual whose work has significantly shaped our understanding of climate justice and energy transition.” Prof. Nwajiuba’s contribution have been both timely and impactful. From his rigorous academic research to his dynamics policy engagements, he has been a vanguard in the environmental discourse. His work with the Building Nigeria’s Response to Climate Change and Africa Adaptation Projects, Nigerian Environmental Study Action Team (NEST), and his pivotal role in delivering the national Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action on Climate Change for Nigeria (NASPA-CCN) have laid foundational strategies for national resilience.”
The conference witnesses an array of renowned academic presentations and well researched topics on climate change. The keynote lecture entitled “Climate Act: Implication for Climate action in Nigeria.” was delivered by Hon. Sam Onuigbo, a former member, House of Representatives, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal constituency. Hon. Sam is regarded as the father of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, 2021, for sponsoring the bill which was assented to by President Buhari on November 17, 2021. The Act led to the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change. His lecture dwelt on the role of legislation in climate change, comparative review of some climate change laws, key provisions of the climate change act and government action in line with the provisions among others.
Dr. Noel Saliu, the Deputy Executive Secretary Academics, Nigerian Universities Commission, who represented the Executive Secretary, delivered an outstanding piece entitled, “The Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards: The Role of NUC in Mainstreaming Climate Change Migration and Justice in University education in Nigeria.” His lecture focused on the effects of climate change, the need for climate justice, climate change mitigation in the university education, climate change mitigation education among others.
Reacting to the presentations, Prof. Nwajiuba noted that the lectures though technical simply points to the direction the world is going and drums up support for active involvement of government and the people of Nigeria on energy transition from the fossil fuel to renewable energy. He emphasised that Nigeria cannot be left behind as the school is the right place to begin the plantation of the idea. The right place to begin with is Coal City University for it has the right spirit and culture of educational excellence. Goodwill messages poured in from Delta State University, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Umuagwo, Imo State. Major highlights of the event featured cutting of birthday cake by the celebrant and entertainment of the guests by Coal City University Cultural troupe.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, Lecturer Department of Mass Communication, Coal City University, Enugu