Ministry of Environment partners Spaces for Change to Mitigate Climate Change in Imo

Alex Ibeh
As environmental Concerns grow, the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, in Collaboration with the Spaces for Change and their development partners have initiated a strategic and visionary approach to mitigate the effects of Climate Change in Imo State.
This was disclosed during the book launch by the specialized Committee titled, “Advancing inclusive Climate Governance in Imo State, in Nigeria, Transforming Challenges into opportunities” in Owerri, on Tuesday 29th April, 2025.
Special Guest of Honour, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Power and Electricity, Engr. Nwabueze Oguchienti disclosed that the State Government had commenced laying strong foundation by prioritizing environmental sustainability, strengthening institutions and regularizing climate consideration across board.
The Governor however charged all policy makers, developmental partners, academia, and citizens in the State to as a matter of urgency join hands to transform the challenges into opportunities, adding that the Publication has offered a road map to reimagine Governance in the face of climate change

In his welcome address earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation Barr. Ejikeme Major Emenike noted that the event was not just a book launch rather a call to action, saying that Climate Governance is not reserved for the Government, but a collective responsibility involving the Communities, Traditional Institutions, Private sector, Academia, and Civil Societies.
Emenike emphasized that it was through inclusive dialogue, participatory decision-making and shared ownership of solutions that Imo State could build resilience.
He commended the State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma for his policy in prioritizing environmental sustainability as well as strengthening the institutions for a greener future.
He further commended the Authors, the Imo State Technical Committee on Climate Change, stressing the need to see the challenge not only as a threat but as an unprecedented opportunity.
In her lecture, the Executive Director of Space for Change, Victoria Ibezim-Ohari, advocated for a participatory effect of the stakeholders to address the increasing threats posed by climate change in the State
In her definition, “climate change is a shift in the climate condition, identifiable through changes in it’s average state or variability, often determined using statistical method,””
She lauded the establishment of the Imo State Climate Change Technical Committee for recognizing the Importance of localized, Institutionalized climate action to mitigate the environmental and socioeconomic impacts.
In his remark, the Chairman of the Committee and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Sanitation Pstr. Chukwuma Iheanacho praised the team for their contributions and inputs from various sources to draft a proposal for a law to dormiscate climate change in the State, pointing out that it was under review.
He however described climate change as an existential threat to humanity.

In the same vein, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chike Olemgbe, represented by Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, member for Ikeduru State Constituency, Commissioner for Niger Delta, Hon. Henry Okafor,Imo State Chapter Chairman, Nigerian Institute Of Town Planners, Austin Ugoh Ukanwa among others, called on all stakeholders of the State to partner with efforts that would help maximise the potential of climate for the greater good of all in the state.

The event had in attendance HRM Eze Emmanuel Okeke, Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers represented by HRH Eze Engr. Marcel Iheanacho Uzoegbu, the Traditional Ruler of Ofekata Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, among others.