Tag: NIMET

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has commenced talks with the Finnish firm Vaisala and the French company Meteo France International (MFI) as part of its repositioning strategy and improvement of operational efficiency.

 The agency’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Charles Anosike, led the talks with representatives of the two foreign organisations during a three-day visit to NiMet.

Anosike who is also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the  World Meteorological Organization (WMO) had earlier met with delegations of Vaisala and MFI on the sideline of the 78th Session of the WMO Executive Council (EC) in Switzerland two months ago.

Receiving the visitors, Anosike said their coming to Nigeria was to enable them to understand the observation infrastructure gaps and the integrated solutions for service delivery of NiMet.

 “NiMet aims to leverage the experience and expertise of both Vaisala and MFI to close observation gaps in Nigeria focusing on integrated radar solutions, aviation AWOS, and many more,” he said.

Continuing, Anosike said: “Also ensuring not only that weather and climate are observed but that the agency also has an integrated solution for seamless operation, information sharing, and last-mile dissemination of meteorological information for socio-economic impact.

“The outcome of the visit will inform a ‘Design, Build and Operate’ project proposal for the agency with integrated capacity development and sustainable plan,” Anosike said.

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 He commended the staff of NiMet for their ingenuity and hard work and assured them of management’s readiness and commitment towards improving workplace infrastructure, systems, and environment to improve job satisfaction and efficient service delivery.

 During the visit, the Vaisala and MFI team toured the existing infrastructure of NiMet within Abuja and used the opportunity to interact with operational officers across NiMet’s technical directorates.

 The  Vaisala team comprised  James Gadiner, Kimmo Ristolainen and Vesa Koivula while Alexandre Bonnes represented MFI.

 Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister  Festus Keyamo (SAN) has also visited the two companies.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted heavy rainfall in Bauchi, Niger, Bayelsa and nine other states during the week.

Other states predicted to experience heavy rainfall are: Kaduna, Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Taraba, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, and Delta.

This is contained in the agency’s weekly weather forecast bulletin valid from September 10 to 16.

It reads: “During the week, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is expected to remain weak over the West African region but good moisture influx and velocity potential are expected to enhance the prospects of heavy rainfall over parts of Bauchi, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Taraba, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states.”

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The forecast stated that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over parts of Adamawa, Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Kwara, Benue, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states.

But it said moderate rainfall is expected over parts of Enugu and Kebbi states.

According to the forecast, low to moderate rainfall is expected over parts of Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, and Sokoto states, while low rainfall is expected over the rest of the country.

The weatherman warned that there are prospects of flash floods on roads, bridges and low-lying areas, which can disrupt vehicular traffic.

It advised the public to take necessary safety precautions and avoid walking through fast-flowing runoff waters, paths and river channels.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted rainy and thundery weather conditions from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi,
Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba states in the northern region during the Monday ‘s morning hours.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kaduna, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi States.

“Intermittent rains are expected over parts of Benue, Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Kwara States during the morning hours.

“In the afternoon and evening hours, localised rains are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Niger and Nasarawa states.

“Isolated rains are expected over parts of Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and cross river States during the morning hours,” it said.

According to NiMet, localised rains are anticipated over parts of Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ondo, Anambara, Osun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo States later in the day.

The agency anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba States during the morning period on Tuesday.

It later envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts
of Bauchi, Kaduna, Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara, Borno, Sokoto, Taraba, Kebbi, Kano and Jigawa States.

 “Intermittent rains are expected over parts of the Benue, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa states during the morning hours.

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“Later in the day, isolated rains are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Benue, Kwara and Nasarawa states.

“Intermittent rains are expected over parts of Edo, Ondo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa States during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, intermittent rains are expected over the entire Southern region,” it said.

For Wednesday, it said thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kebbi, Bauchi, Sokoto, Borno and Katsina states during the morning hours.

“In the afternoon and evening hours, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Adamawa, Kano and Taraba states.

“Morning rains are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Niger States,” it said.

According to NiMet, isolated thunderstorms with rains are expected over parts of the Plateau, Nasarawa and Niger states later in the day.

It predicted cloudy skies over the southern region during morning hours with prospects of moderate rains over parts of Abia, Ebonyi, Ondo, Imo, Edo, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Cross River States later in the day.

NiMet advised the residents to avoid flood-prone areas as there is a high likelihood of urban flooding in major cities due to heavy downpours.

“Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, public should take adequate precaution.

“Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities. Public and Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecast from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,” it said.

(NAN)

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation Technology, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, says it was ready to amend the law that established the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to enhance its operations across the country.

Akinlade spoke in Abuja at a retreat organised by NIMET to intimate the members of the Committee on the workings and terminologies of the Agency and challenges facing it.

Akinlade asked the Director-General of NIMET to submit the necessary amendments to the NiMet Act, emphasising that the retreat would strengthen the synergy between the committee and the agency.

He expressed optimism that the collaboration between the House Committee and the agency would lead to improved legislative support to address key issues affecting NiMet.

Akinlade said, “This gathering today in effect provides a connection between the committee and NIMET in  finding ways of building synergy towards engendering a seamless working relationship to address challenges that your agency may grapple with through legislative input.

“One of such challenges which has now been resolved is the payment of 45 months arrears of minimum wage consequential adjustment, which working together, doused the intended industrial strike by NIMET staff.

“Today, both the committee and NIMET staff are happy that through concerted efforts of the committee, this has been paid and I want to thank NIMET staff for believing in the parliament.

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“I also want to Salute the Adhoc committee headed by my deputy, Hon Sulaimon Yahya Richifa. With the Federal Government directive to slash Aviation agencies ‘ IGR deductions from 50% to 20% and NIMETs incisive efforts to pull out of the IPPIS  arrangement, the future looks bright and promising.

“The pivotal functions of NIMET cut across many sectors of life which includes issuance of weather forecast for safe operation of Aircraft, Defence, Agriculture, Marine, Transport, Environment, Climate change Science and Technology to mention but a few. All these cannot be overemphasised.

“To be specific, NIMET has a lot to do in the arrear of weather forecast for our farmers so as to improve food production”.

Director-General of the agency, Professor Charles Anosike, outlined the agency’s core responsibilities, including projecting, preparing, and interpreting government policy on meteorology.

He underscored NiMET role in providing weather and climate forecasts for the safe operation of aircraft, maritime activities, agriculture, and oil rigs.

Professor Anosike also highlighted the agency’s responsibility for air quality monitoring and providing critical information to support environmental policies and public health initiatives.  

The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, has called for insurance coverage for farmers in Nigeria to boost food security.

He said the insurance would boost the production of farmers and prevent losses.

Prof. Anosike made the call when a delegation from the United

States Agency for International Development (USAID) paid a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

The DG lauded the delegation for recognizing the role NiMet plays in the agricultural value-chain and the other sectors, and for seeking the agency’s partnership in organizing the forthcoming Agricultural Insurance and Weather Advisory Services Roundtable themed, “Creating Last-mile Structures for Agricultural Insurance & Weather Advisory Services- A Risk Mitigation and Resilience measure for Smallholder Farmers.”

He urged the USAID team to also extend an invitation to the financial sector.

He said: “NiMet does a lot of work in early warnings. When we talk about insurance or early warnings, it’s not just about the productivity of farmers. It’s also about saving lives. Lives have already been lost in the 2024 flood.

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“Let’s keep in mind that early warnings save lives. When financial institutions talk about risk management, they focus on shareholder value. If we can get the financial sector in the room for them to begin to integrate climate risk into their operations and risk management, we will be able to convince them. This can help us to achieve the agricultural insurance scheme for farmers.

 “If you look at the economy, whatever problem we are having now, climate change compounds it. It is a threat multiplier. This compels NiMet to do things differently. We will participate in all aspects of the roundtable to ensure success and achievements of the set objectives”.

He encouraged the USAID team to consider rolling out a pilot scheme of insurance for the farmers before bringing it to the public sector, assuring that NiMet will also invite its stakeholders to be part of it.

Prof. Anosike also informed the delegation that NiMet will soon unveil training on weather, water, and climate science to build capacity across its stakeholders and foster a shared vision.

The Chief of Party, Extension Activity of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and leader of the delegation, Dr. Ben Odoemena, said accurate and weather information is key for any business to thrive.

 He said, “Our mission is to seek collaboration with NiMet, and the agency’s participation in the roundtable. The essence of the workshop is to bring the theme to the fore of key stakeholders, in the agricultural sector, insurance sector, financial sector, etc.

“Climate change is here. If you are doing business and you don’t know whether it’s going to rain today or rain tomorrow, then you are not in business. Not only in agriculture, it cuts across every aspect of life. The role of NiMet is quite strategic in achieving this objective and the proposed stakeholders’ roundtable will strongly complement NiMet’s services.

“We cannot achieve the objective without working with NiMet. Farmers are not insuring their farms and their businesses. So it is in this context that we said, that as much as there is poor or no penetration of insurance in the rural settings, there is also limited penetration of weather information at the rural level to the smallholder farmer and the micro farmer”

He added: “We know that NiMet is doing a lot of work and very wonderful things in the field, but we need to scale the process. We want to see a situation where a smallholder farmer will say that he or she wants to know what the weather will be tomorrow before going to the farm.

“That consciousness has to be instilled in the smallholder farmer. That is the only way we can know that we are on track in agriculture”.

The director general of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, has called on financial regulators and other stakeholders to integrate climate risk management in their financial reporting. 

Prof. Anosike made the call on Thursday at the Regulatory Roundtable on the implementation of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) sustainability reporting in Nigeria.

The event was organized by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC). 

He commended the Council and the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, for holding the roundtable. 

He said: “This is a great feat by the FRC and the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Rabiu Olowo. I have been in the sustainability profession for quite a while now and we couldn’t get this done over ten years ago.

“Climate change has become a top priority for our leaders in financial institutions. Because climate change is a threat multiplier, it calls for a new epistemology of risk that acknowledges not just the uncertainty but also the anthropogenic factors. 

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“The systemic risk of climate change explains why it is in the interest of regulators to ensure that climate risks, both current and future, are identified and disclosed by institutions”. 

He further explained that due to the strategic importance of climate risk concerning the transition to net zero, it is evident that the regulators must integrate climate risk management.

“It is incumbent for financial regulators to include environmental factors such as accounting for precipitation and temperature variability in addition to water availability and the overall climate science that supports adaptation and mitigation measures. 

“We thank Dr. Rabiu and FRC for making good their promise that NiMet will be at the table for these conversations. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency provides the climate science that supports adaptation and mitigation measures and stands ready to support this project”.

The Federal Government has settled 45-month minimum wage arrears it owed the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) workers. 

Non-payment of the arrears had caused a rift between the agency’s management and its workers as well as the labour unions.

The unions had threatened to go on strike on May 20, but following an intervention by the House Committee on Aviation Technology and their Senate counterpart, the unions suspended the action.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation Technology, Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, held a meeting on May 19 where the NiMet management and representatives of the unions reached a truce. 

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for authorising the payment of the arrears.

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“Mr. President has demonstrated once again that he is a worker-friendly president. The issue of the unpaid 45-month wage arrears predates this administration, but still, Mr. President has cleared the outstanding.

“I wish to thank the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), for the role he played; also the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation Technology, Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, and members of the committee for their sacrifices and timely intervention. I wish to also thank the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari, and the members of the committee.

“I thank all the others who played different roles in the process. Our expectations are that the workers and the unions will show Mr. President appreciation by working hard and staying focused to ensure that NiMet continues to achieve its mandate,” Anosike said.

Through the NiMet Unions Joint Action Committee (NJAC), the agency’s workers thanked President Tinubu, Keyamo, the House of Representatives and Senate committees on Aviation, and Anosike for the payment of the arrears.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by NJAC Secretary and branch President of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) at NiMet, Okechukwu Nwokoro, said: “This significant action has greatly alleviated the financial challenges faced by our work force and has renewed our hope and commitment to serving the nation with excellence.”

The unions expressed appreciation to Prof. Anosike for his “efforts to advocate on behalf of the employees and ensure that these arrears reflect your deep commitment to the agency and its people”.

They added: “We are fortunate to have a leader who places such a high value on the welfare and morale of his team. The resolution of this issue has not only eased the financial burden on NiMet’s workers but has also strengthened our resolve to continue delivering high-quality meteorological services to the nation. We are motivated and inspired by your collective efforts and pledge to continue our work with renewed hope, dedication, and enthusiasm.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you for your invaluable contributions to this cause. Your actions have made a significant difference in the lives of many, and for that, we are deeply appreciative.”

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ogun state government to build a weather station at the cargo airport in Sagamu.

The director general of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, said that the partnership with the state government was in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) protocols.

ICAO protocol states that member states must establish and maintain meteorological services provided by national meteorological offices.

Prof. Anosike said: “His Excellency, Prince Adedapo Abiodun, is serious about the strategic relationship with NiMet.

He called as this MOU signing was going on. I want to assure him and the people of Ogun state of our full support.

He said: “NiMet approaches every project with professionalism because aeronautical meteorology contributes to guarantee safety standards, economy and efficiency of flights as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).”

The Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo signed on behalf of the state and was accompanied by Alhaji I.O. Saka, Permanent Secretary in the Bureau of Cabinet and Special Services, Ogun state government.

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Dairo praised NiMet DG and his team for the professional way the process leading to the MoU signing was handled.

The Director of Legal Services of NiMet, Shola Gabriel witnessed the MoU signing.