The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), TotalEnergies, Renaissance Africa Energy, technexus, Border Community Development Agency, and some volunteers have worked together to sponsor TEDxPortHarcourt’ to push for climate change awareness in the Niger Delta region.
The ‘TEDxPortHarcourt Countdown’ had gathered thought leaders, innovators, creatives, and climate champions in an inspiring call to action for a more sustainable and resilient planet.
Hosted in Port Harcourt, the event brought the global TED Countdown initiative to the heart of the Niger Delta, spotlighting bold ideas and local innovations driving climate action in Nigeria.
With the theme; “Climate Action Now: Local Solutions, Global Impact,” TEDxPortHarcourt Countdown served as a platform to reimagine how communities, businesses, and individuals can contribute to reducing carbon emissions and building a greener future.
Read also: Heaviest monsoon in a decade kills 458 people in Jharkhand
The event featured speakers and performers who shared actionable ideas spanning renewable energy, sustainable living, environmental justice, creative advocacy, circular economy, and youth-led innovation.
Participants at the event were challenged to move beyond awareness toward measurable action and collaboration.
Curator and Primary Licensee of TEDxPortHarcourt, Donald Okudu, said the programme is a movement that focuses on better energy for safe and sustained environment.
Okudu said: “The Countdown initiative reminds us that climate change is not a distant issue, it’s a present reality that requires bold, local responses. Port Harcourt has the potential to lead Nigeria’s climate transformation through innovation, storytelling, and community-driven action”.
Many observers at the event recalled Port Harcourt’s footprint in environment struggles and climate change advocacy with some ugly encounters including the hanging of the Ogoni 9, the Saro Wiwa global impact on environment matters, the eventual $1billion Ogoni clean up, the calls for a Niger Delta clean up, the soot echo, etc.
The event also featured immersive experiences like interactive exhibitions showcasing sustainable products and green technologies. Networking Sessions fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.
It unveiled creative performances that used art, poetry, and music to inspire climate consciousness.
Participants left the event empowered to take tangible steps toward sustainability from lifestyle changes to community projects and enterprise innovations.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said Countdown is a global initiative, but its impact begins locally.
He said: “By amplifying voices from the Niger Delta, we are redefining what climate leadership looks like in Africa”.
Ogbuku also showed the intentionality of climate change actions by the Commission and the many gains recorded so far with Light up Niger Delta, return of the mangrove, reforestation, channelisation schemes, others.
According to the organisers, TEDxPortHarcourt Countdown 2025 was made possible through the support of partners and a passionate organising team said to be committed to fostering dialogue and driving environmental responsibility in the region.
Story was adapted from Thisday.
