Emma Elekwa
Head of Works Department and Town Engineer, for Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr. Samuel Udefi has called for greater enlightenment campaign on climate change crisis, adaptation and migration, especially at the grassroots.
Udefi made the call after receiving special award on Environmental Safeguard from the Department of Geography and Meteorology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka during a brief ceremony marking the 2026 World Meteorogical Day themed, “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow.”
Reacting to the theme of the lecture, Udefi, a Civil Engineer stressed the need for greater awareness on environment as well as proactive measures to protect it.
“Ndị Anam are faced with environmental problem such as annual flooding and changing weather conditions that affect their farming activities.
“The guest lecturer really nailed it. During the lecture, I was nodding my head because it was as if he was talking to Ndị Anam, what would be the solution to what we are passing through in our area,” he said.
Udefi who doubled as President General of Igwebuike Anam Age Grade, urged people of Anam to take advantage of technological advancement in weather predictions as well as modern farming techniques.
“It’s now possible to predict accurately when the rain will come, when their will be severe heat and other variations in whether patterns as well as flooding.
Application of modern farming techniques
“With such knowledge and application of modern farming techniques our people will overcome the challenges posed by climate change,” he added.
He also called for environmental safeguards and protection.
“We need to be mindful of how we treat our environment, minimize pollution and felling of trees because these things contribute significantly to climate change.
“If we keep building houses anyhow, clearing our bushes and forests in the name of urbanization without proper regeneration plan, we will pay dearly for it in no time”, he warned.
Former Chairman, Anambra East Council, Dr. Anselm Onuora also opined that Anambra residents, especially those in the riverine areas that are prone to flooding and other climate change induced problems need to key into the solutions prescribed at the event.
“I feel glad listening to the guest lecturer, especially the solutions that he proffered.
“I think it’s something that our people need more. We need their partnership and expertise in tackling these challenges.
“Even while we claim local knowledge of the environment, we still need their expert assistance.
“And from every indication, they are willing to help out and for me it’s something I appreciate so much,” he stressed.
