NiMet, NGF strengthen collaboration on economy, climate change, others

Professor Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) (left) and Alhaji Abdulateef O.T. Shittu, Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, at a meeting at NGF’s Office in Abuja over the weekend to discuss collaboration on presenting weather and climate information to the Nigerian people

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) are to strengthen collaboration in the interest of the country’s continued socio-economic development.

Speaking at a meeting in Abuja over the weekend, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, stated that a formal relationship between NGF and NiMet was in the best interest of the country, as it would benefit the people.

“It’s no longer news that we are seeing increasingly weather events that are affecting our communities. Every year, we count losses of the number of our people that have been killed, families and communities displaced, and the economic damages. These extreme weather events also trigger human trafficking, disease outbreaks, and other negative impacts,” he added.

Anosike said the two organisations strongly believe that something should be done to mitigate impact of climate change, and would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide their relationship.

“If we can proactively collaborate and coordinate our activities, we should be able to reduce the impact of climate change. This is why NiMet has come to the NGF. Our collaboration will ensure that weather and climate information get to the last mile – the Nigerian people,” he said.

He explained that NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) is an early warning tool in support of the United Nations Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) initiative championed by the WMO. On his part, NGF’s Director-General, Abdulateef Shittu, noted that climate change was impacting economic well-being nationally and globally, adding:

“NiMet is a critical Federal Government agency, hence the NGF has agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NiMet so that we can support and partner with them to implement all the climate change initiatives that the agency has in the interest of the Nigerian people.”

He continued: “Climate change is all about mitigation and adaptation. We have discussed a lot about that and what needs to be done. We have to face the reality of climate change and see how we can mitigate it, especially about preventing food shortages and ensuring food security. These are critical”.