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Extreme weather, climate events to become frequent in Nigeria, WMO warns 

By Joke Falaju, Abuja
26 March 2022   |   4:00 am
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has warned that extreme events of weather and climate would become more frequent and intense in Nigeria in the coming years.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has warned that extreme events of weather and climate would become more frequent and intense in Nigeria in the coming years.

WMO’s representative for North, Central and West Africa, Bernard Gomez, who gave the warning, yesterday, also noted that Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, was exposed more than ever before to multiple related hazards, which were themselves evolving as a result of population growth, urbanisation and environmental degradation.
 
He stressed the need to ensure that weather, water and climate services gain the attention of policy makers in governments at the highest levels.
 


Gomez, while speaking during the World Meteorological Day celebration in Abuja, said: “With evidence showing that extreme events of weather and climate will become more frequent and intense in Nigeria in the coming years, it is necessary to ensure weather, water and climate services gain the attention of policy makers in governments at the highest levels.
 
“In this regard, WMO encourages the implementation of the national framework for weather, climate and water services as this would strengthen stakeholder collaboration and sub-national programmes for Agriculture and Food Security, Disaster Risk Reduction, Energy, Transport, Leisure and Hospitality and Health.”
 
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Nigeria Meteorology Agency (NIMET), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, has disclosed that since the 2012 flood disaster, the country has recorded a decline in loses attributed to weather and climate related disasters.
 
He attributed the development to direct investment in meteorological service to be better positioned to issue timely, accurate and reliable weather prediction.
 
Matazu stressed that to reduce the risk associated with weather related disaster, it was important for NIMET, Hydrological Service Agency (NHSA) and disaster managers to collaborate to ensure better national prevention, preparedness and response strategies.
 
Speaking on the importance of the theme of the celebration  ‘Early Warning and Early Action, Hydro Meteorological and Climate Information for Disaster Risk Reduction’, he said the theme emphasises the critical role of issuing warnings and forecasts early enough for prompt and early actions by various stakeholders.
 
Director, Weather Forecast Services, Mailadi Yusuf, on his part, said the agency would continue to upgrade and modernise its operations to meet expectations on weather and climate information.

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