Tributes continue to pour in following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with prominent figures highlighting his dedication to Nigeria’s democracy, progress, and stability, as well as his significant impact on the fight against climate change. Former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Mike Okiro, released a statement yesterday, reflecting on President Buhari’s legacy.
Okiro, who also served as the former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, recalled a cherished memory from his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days.
“President Buhari’s leadership and vision for Nigeria will be remembered for generations to come,” Okiro stated.
“His commitment to democracy, stability, and progress will forever be etched in the annals of our nation’s history. As a nation, we have lost a leader who worked tirelessly to ensure the security, unity, and prosperity of our great country.”
He continued, sharing a personal anecdote: “I have a cherished memory that stands out vividly in my mind. During my NYSC days in 1977, when President Buhari was the Military Governor of Borno State, I was among the four youth corps members selected to visit the Government House.
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“What an honour it was to have a handshake with the Governor himself! That moment has stayed with me all these years, and it’s a testament to the impact he had on the lives of Nigerians.”
Okiro concluded his tribute with a prayer: “As we bid farewell to a leader who has left an indelible mark on our nation’s history, I pray that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Nigerians.
“May his soul rest in peace, and may his memory remind us of the importance of service, dedication, and patriotism.”
Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo, a Member representing the South-East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), also shared his reflections, stating that the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari has created “a huge vacuum for the country, especially in the fight against climate change.”
Onuigbo recounted the arduous journey of the Climate Change Bill, which faced rejections in the 6th, 7th, and 8th National Assemblies before President Buhari finally signed it into an Act of the National Assembly on November 17, 2021, during the 9th Assembly.
This landmark action gifted Nigeria with the “iconic Climate Change Act.”
“By that singular act and focus on proactive legislation, the former President made Nigeria stand tall in the international community.
” His death has robbed the country of a rich source of international pride,” Onuigbo remarked.
He added, “Late President Buhari won respect for Nigeria through his insistence on excellence.”
The former lawmaker, who chairs the Security, Climate Change and Special Interventions Committee of the NEDC, expressed his sense of national pride when Buhari signed the legacy Climate Change Bill into law, surrounded by enthusiastic senior government officials.
Onuigbo noted that the Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, signed by President Buhari, established the National Council on Climate Change and provided the legal framework for Nigeria’s climate action goals, including strategies for sustainable economic development and the path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050-2070.
He asserted that without Buhari’s “determined and quick intervention” in ensuring a legislative framework for energy sustainability and transition through the Climate Change Act, Nigeria would have remained an observer at successive United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conferences of Parties (COP).
“Thanks to Buhari, Nigeria did not attend COP 27 empty-handed,” Onuigbo stated.
“We went to the COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with heads held high as we participated actively in discussions leading to the agreement to establish a ‘loss and damage’ fund to assist developing countries in addressing the adverse effects of climate change.
“This fund, officially named the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), aims to provide financial assistance to vulnerable nations grappling with climate-related impacts, including extreme weather events and slow-onset events.”
The former lawmaker, who sponsored the Climate Change Bill, recalled that Buhari was moved by the far-reaching resolution of the COP 26 Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, to immediately sign the Bill, which the 9th National Assembly had passed.
While expressing that Buhari would be “sorely missed,” Rep. Onuigbo praised the contributions of members of the 9th National Assembly, including the then Speaker (current Chief of Staff to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu), Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the then Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, in the creation of the signature Climate Change Act.
