NiMet advocates collaboration against climate change

Director-General(DG), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, has called for collaboration among all nations to tackle negative effects of changing climate.

Matazu, who was represented by the Director, Weather Forecasting Services, NiMet, Daniel Okafor, said that due to increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather and climate events globally, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property, the United Nations (UN) had spearheaded an action to ensure everyone is protected by Early Warning Systems by the year 2027.
 
He spoke during the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Development of Competency in Weather Forecast Course, themed: ‘Early Warnings For All’ organised by NiMet in collaboration with WMO, yesterday, in Lagos.

Representatives of 16 African countries, including Togo, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Congo, Central Africa Republic and others attended the two-week training.
He said the workshop aimed at engaging experts in various aspects of weather and climate value chain, share best practices, explore innovative methods and enhance capacity to predict and respond to weather-related hazards.
 
“In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather and climate events globally, often leading to huge destruction of properties and loss of lives. These extreme events are linked to the changing climate, which the world is still grappling with ways to mitigate and provide effective adaptation mechanisms.
 
“The United Nations (UN), recognising the key role of WMO in creating and sustaining climate resilient societies across the globe, is spearheading a new action to ensure that every person on earth is protected by Early Warning Systems by the year 2027. Hence, the Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) initiative.
 
“The workshop seeks to comprehend the complexities of weather prediction and develop systems that are accessible, adaptable, and responsive to the diverse needs of our communities,” he said.
 
Director, Research and Training, NiMet, Prof Effiong Okon, explained that the training would equip participants to produce people-centred early warning systems and communicate in a non-technical language.