Lagos — Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan's journey to the United States probably to engage the people of his state in the country and attend other summits attracted a twin meeting recently as the governor of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger invited him to speak at the Governor's Global Climate Summit in Sacramento, the capital of the US state.

Uduaghan had earlier gone to American to launch the triple D project in New York aimed at mobilizing all Deltans abroad towards contributing towards to the development at home and afterwards proceeded to the World Bank and some other vital places to canvass for assistance. He also participated at some other vital fora.

Noticing that Uduaghan has the same kindred spirit with him in the struggle to fight climate change, the renowned actor turned governor had stated in the letter: "I am writing to invite you to further that good work by speaking at the Governor's Global Climate summit 2, co-hosted by me and other United States governors in partnership with the United Nations' Development Programme ,which will take place from September 30-October 2 in Los Angeles and will focus on the "Road to Copenhagen", he said.

In referring to the good work above, the California governor had recognised that Uduaghan, since coming into office, had been a leading advocate on climate change, especially with the prevalence of gas flare and oil leakage by oil exploration companies that constitute a major source of environmental challenge in the Niger Delta.

He, therefore, invited him to the summit which have in attendance 16 governors and other prominent personalities from across the world.

The invitation extended to Uduaghan attracted the commendation of NGOs including Africa Political and Economic Strategic Center (Afripol) that promotes and advocates among other things, a sustainable green environment in Africa.

" The Nigerian governor Uduaghan has been a credible voice on the peril of global warming, environmental degradation and gas flaring in his native land Nigeria. The dynamic governor came from the Delta region that has been experiencing turmoil and unrest including environmental degradation and immense oil spill on the ecosystem.

Governor Udughan participation at forthcoming summit was well received in his region and Nigeria." Afripol stated.

Emeka Chiakwelu, principal policy strategist at Afripol welcomed the participation of Africans at summit particularly on the invitation of the Nigerian Governor: " There must be a sense of urgency in Africa and Nigeria on global warming and effects and impacts of climate change. This summit is quite essential and important to Africa, for it can become a source of information and ideas especially brainstorming needed to tackle the perils of climate change in the continent. In some parts of Africa including southern Africa and northern Sudan there is drought and destruction of crops. Some rivers are dwindling in volume and seasonal weathers have become unpredictable. With deforestation raging across Africa compounded with encroachment of desert the picture is not very good. Therefore the global climate summit have become a must attend summit for African leaders, decision and policy makers and bureaucrats".

Gideon Nylan, an expert on political economy of developing nations at Afripol emphasized the disastrous effects of climate change on the waters of Africa: "The detrimental impact on the environment and the bodies of water in west Africa have been enormous. We know that body of water is cyclical thus feeding into one another, therefore as one body dries up it also impacts on the other. The shrinking river Niger, lake Chad, and others have affected the lives of millions of Africans who depend on these bodies of water for survival - for food (fishing), drinking and cooking. Other activities associated with water including laundry, construction, and commerce(livestock) are affected. The adverse impact of these dying rivers also create conflict among people as they move from drying rivers to another competing for space and livelihood".

Vincent Ogboi, a senior fellow and econometric expert at Afripol noted the significance of Africa's participation at the summit: "Africa entrance into the global climate change debate at this time is a welcome development. This is strategic thinking on Africa's part and especially developing nations like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and a few other forward thinking nations in the continent. It is our hope that African representation at the forthcoming global climate change conference holding at California is down payment that Africa must make in order to reap the immense benefit that Africa's future development will bring. The summit can be success if the mistakes of the past and the negative environmental impact on the global can be avoided or at least minimized. Africa's young and dynamic leaders like the Governor from Nigeria , Dr Uduaghan who will be speaking at the conference should be encouraged for their foresight and vision.

As expected, the Delta governor's voice at the conference remains undefeated.

Yesterday Uduaghan called on the global community to intensify efforts in the fight against climate change.

In alliance with the governor of California, he canvassed the need for concerted efforts both from the developed and developing world to join forces together in reducing carbon emissions and harmful practices that endanger the environment.

This 2nd Governors Global Climate Summit held in California, USA has the theme 'On the Road to Copenhagen,' and Uduaghan called on international multi-national oil companies like Shell and Chevron to show respect for the environment because the continued devastation and pollution of the environment would greatly impede any meaningful gains that have been recorded in the journey towards global climate change.

The California governor said that the international summit "will broaden cooperative efforts by sub-national governments to implement strategies that can immediately grow a green economy, increase the use of sustainable clean energy, reduce dependence on oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in advance of and in support of, the next global agreement on climate change."

Uduaghan was also quoted by the TimesofNigeria as saying that restoration of the eco-system in polluted and environmentally devastated oil-producing communities occasioned by the activities of multinational oil companies operating in the creeks and riverine communities of the Niger Delta region is one of the pragmatic ways to fight against climate change.

The Delta State governor expressed delight to be at the forum to learn from the rich experiences of other state actors and global players on climate change, while at the same time sharing his experiences in Delta State with the rest of the world.

He said in Delta State, his administration is greatly committed to the building of a new economy that is diversified and less-dependent on oil or fossil fuel for economic development.

Governor Uduaghan challenged the oil companies to join in the campaign and crusade for climate change and save the planet from devastation.

He said: "We are delighted to be here to learn and also share our experiences with the rest of the world. In Delta State, we are committed to building an economy that is less dependent on oil and gas. We are building a Delta State without oil. We also want to partner with the UNDP in greening our environment, on this new deal for the states.

"We are committed to an agricultural green revolution in Delta State. But here, we would want to see concrete steps and efforts by Chevron and Shell in protecting our environment from degradation. I have not seen Chevron here at this forum. It would be important for them to be part of this campaign because in Delta State, the activities of the oil companies impact very negatively on our environment."

The Chair and moderator of the session, Jane Davidson, who is the Minister for Environment in Wales, UK, Commended Governor Uduaghan for his forthrightness and commitment to climate change.

She said:"I am told that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta State has been adjudged by AFRIPOL and the Global Network for Good Governance based in South Africa and Norway as a great respecter of the environment and I am very happy with this. What he has said is that there are corporate bodies whose activities impact negatively on the environment and we all need to deal with that with concerted efforts."

With this credential, analysts believe that Uduaghan has become a leading voice from for the much touted climate change that has become a major focus of world leaders.