Abuja, Nigeria — Distinguished Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, the former legislator for Rivers South East Senatorial District and current Chairman of the Great Green Wall under the Federal Ministry of Environment, has been accorded a monumental honour, being conferred with the prestigious Honourary Fellow of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES).
The award, which represents the highest professional recognition bestowed by the Society, is reserved exclusively for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional and sustained contributions to environmental development, science, and policy across Nigeria.
The conferment took place during the Gala Night and Awards ceremony of the 34th National Conference and 35th Annual General Meeting of the NES, held on 24 October 2025, at the Nixcon Luxury Hotel in the nation’s capital.
According to a statement from the Senator’s Spokesperson, Dr. Parry Saroh Benson, the honour reflects the NES’ profound respect for Mr Abe’s years of impactful advocacy and leadership within the sector.
Responding on behalf of the co-honourees, Senator Abe lauded the NES as a singular institution possessing the intellectual capital necessary to drive Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda. He underscored the critical imperative of linking development to environmental consciousness.
“The environment is the single most important aspect of our lives that affects everything we do,” Abe asserted. He issued a powerful exhortation to the Society’s membership, urging them to amplify their efforts in shaping governmental policies that unequivocally guarantee long-term sustainability.
The former lawmaker delivered a sharp cautionary statement regarding unchecked progress: “If as a nation we develop without understanding our environment, then we will not be able to develop in a sustainable manner.”
Senator Abe was also celebrated for his enduring legislative contributions, particularly his tenure on the Senate Committee on Environment during the 8th National Assembly. During this period, he was instrumental in initiating the bill that ultimately birthed Nigeria’s first specialised University of Environment, a testament to his foresight in capacity building.
The National President of the NES and Chairman of Council, Dr. Efegbidiki Lympson Okobia, was effusive in his praise, applauding Senator Abe for his consistent commitment to championing environmental protection and comprehensive reform.
The ceremony drew notable figures from the upper echelons of academia and the environmental profession, including Professor Chinedu Mmon, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoniland, Rivers State. The NES concluded that the honour served as definitive confirmation of Abe’s dedication to strengthening environmental governance and advancing national sustainability.
