CHOGM 2024: Nigeria Seeks Solutions To Climate Change

Nigeria has called for urgent and aggressive measures to combat the catastrophic impact of climate change, emphasising that it is a global crisis that demands immediate action.

The country has also restated its support for the preservation of democracy and the protection of civil rights across the Commonwealth, as well as ongoing reforms in the organisation, focusing more on results-oriented value creation.

These, among others, were Nigeria’s priorities at the just-concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Apia, the capital of the Independent State of Samoa, between October 21 and 26.

Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Vice President Kashim Shettima’s spokesperson, revealed this in a statement he issued on Sunday.

He said the Nigerian delegation to the meeting was led by the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbass Lawal, after technical flight issues prevented Vice President Kashim Shettima from representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the summit.

New Secretary General

Meanwhile, a new Secretary General of the Commonwealth has emerged.

She is Shirley Botchwey, who is currently Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

President Bola Tinubu has already congratulated Ghana and the new Secretary General.

Speaking shortly after a visit to the Moataa village, a community in Apia decorated with Nigerian colours and flags, Lawal told world leaders at CHOGM 2024 that Nigeria has had its unpalatable share of the devastating impact of climate change through flooding, degraded lands, and rising sea levels.

“We need to address the climate challenge very strongly because of its effect on our society; it is a global phenomenon. We have experienced flooding in our country, degraded lands and rising sea levels, among others.

“Now is the time to join forces at the level of the Commonwealth to address these issues,” the Minister stated, adding that Nigeria’s positions on the environment, democracy, security, and other issues were prompted by current challenges faced across the world,” he said.

Lawal noted that Nigeria also made its position clear “in support of democracy and the protection of civil rights across Commonwealth nations, including the processes for strengthening the Commonwealth to make it stronger and more vibrant.”

He emphasised that Nigeria also backed and encouraged ongoing institutional reforms at the Commonwealth, reaffirming its commitment to the organisation’s renewal, even as he emphasised that the nation’s focus is on results-oriented value creation and a responsive Commonwealth.

The Minister also reiterated Nigeria’s support for the new Secretary-General of the body, expressing hope that, with Botchwey’s emergence, there would be more robust engagement between Africa and the Commonwealth.

Welcoming King Charles III

Commonwealth leaders had earlier in their executive session, “welcomed His Majesty, King Charles III, to his first CHOGM as Head of the Commonwealth.”

In a communiqué issued by the Commonwealth secretariat at the end of the meeting, the leaders commended the King’s unwavering commitment to a more sustainable and resilient future for the 56 member countries of Commonwealth, and to strengthening education, health and climate resilience, particularly in small island developing states (SIDS), a commitment that has inspired the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme.

As Head of the Commonwealth, The King has addressed Commonwealth leaders at the official Opening Ceremony of #CHOGM2024. pic.twitter.com/fV0OOgSiTx

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 25, 2024

The leaders reflected on the gathering being the first CHOGM since the loss of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who served as Head of the Commonwealth with extraordinary duty for over seventy years.

The meeting also named Antigua and Barbuda as the host of the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2026.