Former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has paid tribute to renowned broadcaster and conservationist Sir David Attenborough on his 100th birthday, describing him as the most influential figure in his life outside his late mother.
In a public letter released Friday, Onoh said Attenborough’s century of work has ‘illuminated the world’s understanding of nature and inspired generations to protect the fragile wonders of our planet.’
Onoh recalled first meeting Attenborough as an eight-year-old in England, saying the encounter left an indelible mark and shaped his lifelong commitment to conservation.
‘Your gentle wisdom and boundless passion for the natural world left an indelible mark on my soul,’ he wrote.
He credited Attenborough’s guidance and example with giving him the courage to establish the Woodland Park Zoo Coal City, a sanctuary for public connection with nature, and the Onoh Memorial Wildlife Conservation Trust, which works to preserve habitats, protect endangered species, and educate future conservationists.
‘Your words of guidance, your example of quiet determination, and your infectious enthusiasm gave me the courage to dream big and the resolve to act,’ Onoh said.
The tribute highlighted Attenborough’s global impact through documentaries, books, and advocacy, noting that his work has changed how humanity views its relationship with nature. ‘You have changed how humanity sees itself – not as masters of nature, but as its caretakers and fellow inhabitants,’ Onoh wrote.
He added that Attenborough’s legacy lives on in protected landscapes, awakened young minds, and in the work of individuals like himself who strive to follow the path he laid.
‘Thank you for believing in the power of knowledge, wonder, and compassion,’ Onoh concluded.
‘May this 100th year bring you peace, joy, and the deep satisfaction of knowing how profoundly you have enriched our world.’