Here are 7 (seven) things to know about Elochukwu Ezenekwe:
1). World Class Researcher.
Elochukwu Ezenekwe is a world-class researcher who, in year 2009, pioneered a research that identified climate change as the major driver of the gully erosion problems in the Nanka areas of Anambra State as well as in other parts of the Southeast region of Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria.
His conclusions were of above-average level of confidence.
2). International Climate Change Expert
Elochukwu’s impressive research work on climate change and gully erosion earned him a spot as an Expert Reviewer for the world’s largest repository of climate change knowledge – the United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
He would go on to join other experts in preparing the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report on Climate Change.
3). Environmental Activist.
Armed with the new knowledge from his research work, Elochukwu Ezenekwe has been involved in extensive climate change activism, engaging and educating a wide range of audience in order to galvanize enough support to demand for climate justice for the Nigerians suffering from the impacts of climate change through worsening gully problems.
Since we now know that climate change is the major cause of the gully erosion activities wreaking havoc on livelihoods, land, water and community resources in Nanka and other parts of Anambra state and Nigeria, it is only right that developed nations – who are culprits of climate change – are held to provide adequate adaptation funds for use in tackling the problems from climate change. That is what justice means.
4). Inspired by Former Governor Peter Obi
Elochukwu Ezenekwe’s foray into climate change activism was inspired by the campaigns of the former governor of Anambra State, who was always seen on national television crying out for help regarding the worsening gully erosion problems bedeviling Anambra State.
Mr Peter Obi’s regular campaigns, which was quite loud around year 2009 (when Elochukwu was to commence his undergraduate research) got Elochukwu to adopt gully erosion as topic for his undergraduate thesis.
5). United States Government Award Recipient.
For his outstanding contributions to climate change advocacy and environmental conservation, Elochukwu Ezenekwe, in 2016, received a Fellowship Award from the United States government’s Young African Leaders Imitative (YALI), fully qualifying him as a Fellow of the West Africa Regional Leadership Center (RLC).
6). Alumnus of Federal University of Technology, Minna.
Elochukwu Ezenekwe graduated from the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering.
7). Alumnus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Elochukwu Ezenekwe holds a Masters degree in Environmental Engineering, obtained in the year 2014 from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.