Onuigbo notes that the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) must structure its plans in a manner that renews hope and delivers development that is enduring and sustainable.
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The South East representative on the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo, has pledged to bring selfless service anchored on the vision of providing advice on visionary, impactful, and futuristic ideas for the sustainable development of the North East on board.
Onugbo, who was a two-time Member of the House of Representatives, made the pledge in a statement by his office shortly after the inauguration of the Board by Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on Wednesday.
He expressed immense pleasure to be given the opportunity to serve on the Board of the Commission charged with the rehabilitation, resettlement and rebuilding of the North East following the devastation caused by terrorism and other existential issues like climate change.
“I am immensely pleased to be given the opportunity to serve as the South East representative on the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) — a Commission charged with the rehabilitation, resettlement and rebuilding of the North East following the devastation caused by terrorism and other existential issues like climate change.
This call to service is one which I approach with the same level of dedication that has characterised my many years of service, whether as a staff of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Commissioner in my State, and as a two-time member of the House of Representatives. On each occasion, I brought in excellence in service and innovation which led to uncommon results for the benefit of the people,” he said.
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Expressing sincere appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy, Onuigbo also extended gratitude to the President’s Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for ensuring that his nomination was successful.
He further appreciated family, friends, supporters, and the good people of Abia Central Senatorial District, whom he sought to serve during the last election as Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
“My eye for initiating novel and impactful visions, for instance, saw me sponsor the Climate Change Bill, which is today an Act of Parliament and the legal framework for Nigeria’s efforts to tackle climate change. For this, I was inducted into the National Assembly Most Valuable Parliamentarian Hall of Fame 2023.
As we start work as Board Members of this important Commission, what I will bring on board is selfless service anchored on the vision of providing advice on visionary, impactful, and futuristic ideas for the sustainable development of the North East. We must structure our plans in a manner that renews hope and delivers development that is enduring and sustainable.
My sincere appreciation goes to the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for finding me worthy. In the same vein, I want to thank, in a special way Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff, to the President for ensuring that my nomination was successful,” the statement added.
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Onuigbo is one of the five inductees into Nigeria’s first-ever Most Valuable Parliamentarian (MVP) Hall of Fame and sponsor of the Climate Change Bill (now Act), which is Nigeria’s legal framework in its efforts at tackling climate change.
Prior to his nomination as a Member on the Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), he served in the Eighth National Assembly as the lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency. He chaired the House Committee on Climate Change in the Eighth National Assembly and sponsored four bills in the Ninth National Assembly, including Climate Change Bill 2019.
Other pieces of legislation he sponsored include the Display and Use of National Flag and Coat of Arms Act (Amendment) Bill,2019, Federal Universities of Agriculture Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and the Chartered Institute of Econometricians and Data Analysts (Establishment) Bill, 2022.
