The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said they would sign a Memorandum of Understanding reinforcing their collaboration against climate change.
An assertion by NiMET stated the collaboration is in light of Nigeria’s continued socio-economic development.
Speaking at a meeting at NGF’s Office in Abuja over the weekend, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, said that a conventional connection between the NGF and NiMet is to the greatest advantage of the country as it will help the people.
“It’s no longer news that we are witnessing progressively weather events that are affecting our communities. Consistently, we have lost count of the number of our people that have been killed, families and communities displaced, and the monetary harms.
“These extreme weather events also trigger human trafficking, disease outbreaks, and other negative impacts”, he explained.
Proceeding, Professor Anosike said that NiMet and NGF believe emphatically that something ought to be done to relieve the impact of climate change, and would sign a MoU to direct their relationship.
“In the event that we can proactively team up and coordinate our activities, we should be able to decrease the effect of environmental change. For this reason NiMet has come to the NGF. Our cooperation will guarantee that weather and climate information get to the last mile – the Nigerian people”.
Prof. Anosike stated that weather and climate information are essential to the sustainable economic development of our people.
“Early warning systems are methodical activities that will guarantee that weather and climate information get to the Nigerian people and to the powerless to ensure that they would have option to in like manner answer. Not responsively, yet proactively. Early warning saves lives, but for it to work successfully, synergistic leadership has to be exhibited by all the relevant stakeholders”.
He likewise said that NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) is an early warning tool in support of the United Nations Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) drive supported by the WMO.
“The forecast is a meticulous and rigorous scientific exercise that includes the utilization of global and regional models and other atmospheric drivers with strong reconnection with our region to arrive at the outlook”, he closed.
The Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdulateef O.T. Shittu, said that climate change is affecting economic well-being nationally and globally.
“NiMet is a critical federal government agency, hence the NGF has consented to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NiMet so that we can support and collaborate with them to carry out all the climate change initiatives that the agency has in light of a legitimate concern for the Nigerian people”.
On a conclusive note, Alhaji Shittu said; “Climate change is all about mitigation and adaptation. We have examined a great deal about that and what should be finished. We need to confront face the reality of climate change and see how we can mitigate it, particularly about preventing food deficiencies and guaranteeing food security. These are pivotal”.
