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Tag: NIMET

  • Brace for more flooding, NiMET tells Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Edo, FCT, others

    Brace for more flooding, NiMET tells Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Edo, FCT, others

    Twenty-two states  and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) face the flooding challenge this week, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET’s) latest rainfall forecast.

    Many of these states experienced flooding last week from the downpour across the country.

    The rain fell for more than 10 hours in Lagos on Thursday, putting many parts of the commercial capital under water, which receded in few hours after the rains stopped.

    Many states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have not recovered from the situation.

    The agency listed in its bulletin Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa and Abuja among the states that will experience what it called flash flood after heavy, moderate and low rainfalls.

    It asked the governments in the identified states to brace for flash flooding, riverine flooding, soil erosion, thunder and lightning and strong winds beginning from today.

    The agency also noted that the downpour could lead to displacements of people due to floods, outbreaks of water-borne diseases and damages to infrastructures, especially roads and bridges.

    “On the 9th of July (0000-2359hrs) moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over parts of Bauchi, Kaduna, Adamawa, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

    “Low to moderate rainfall is expected over parts of Borno, Gombe, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ekiti and Kogi states. Low rainfall with little risk of hydro-meteorological hazard is expected over the remaining part of the country”.

    The agency added: “On Thursday, 11th of July (0000 – 2359hrs), moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over parts of Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

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    “Low to Moderate Rainfall is expected over most parts of the country. Low Rainfall with little or no risk of hydro-meteorological hazard is expected.”

    NiMET announced the likelihood of very strong winds over parts of Yobe, Borno and some Northwest states between today and Thursday.

    It said: “Strong winds are expected over parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa and Gombe states. Elsewhere, there is little or no risk of strong winds.”

    The agency ruled out any chance of temperature-related hazards in the next three days across the country.

  • NIMET evaluates weather stations

    NIMET evaluates weather stations

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has undertaken rigorous metadata exercises to thoroughly evaluate the functionality and effectiveness of its weather observation stations.

    These exercises comprehensively assess various vital elements, including equipment condition, personnel availability, infrastructure maintenance, and data quality across diverse geographical locations.

     NiMet still relies on unreliable and unverified metadata information. Therefore, the need to collate an inventory of accurate metadata for all surface-based observing stations/platforms including AWOS under the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) umbrella which features station histories and records, suitable for national, regional, and global purposes is not negotiable. Observational metadata, including information on the capabilities of observing stations/platforms and their instruments and methods of observation, should be given utmost attention.

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    Metadata provides basic and relevant information about the data. The administration of data that describes other data is essential to the quality and validity of both structured and unstructured data.

    To this end, it is important to have accurate metadata information in the database of the agency. 

    Speaking on the need for the exercise, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike said; “On assumption of office in December 2023, NiMet management realized that most of NiMet metadata information was inaccurate. Efforts had been made in the past to gather and collect exact raw metadata information directly from various geographical locations where Meteorological Stations are sited but to no avail.

    “Some locations do not even have WMO ID, ICAO ID, Latitude, Longitude, Elevation e.t.c., and some locations within Nigeria, when plotted on maps fall off outside the country’s national geographical boundary and territorial waters, hence the need for accurate metadata update”.  

    Continuing, Professor Anosike said, “The importance of metadata information can not be overemphasized when it comes to the better organization of data and improved interoperability and integration. Its optimal use helps to gather better insights to improve product generation, upgrade processes, and ensure grid alignment of coordinates, as well as storing unstructured data such as images, videos, web pages, and spreadsheets.”

    The Metadata exercise was a success; all the stations in Nigeria have been updated, and the process of uploading to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Oscar platform is currently ongoing.

  • NIMET unveils e-learning system opportunities

    NIMET unveils e-learning system opportunities

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has launched a global learning management system integrated with Microsoft Teams.

    According to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Professor Charles Anosike, the platform will enhance its global opportunities as well as create a window of  collaboration with other reputable organisations.

    He said the platform is aimed at significantly boosting capacity development among its personnel as well as driving the online interactive training arms of the agency.

    Besides, Anosike said the integration of Microsoft Teams with the Learning management system will provide its personnel and learning institutes with a seamless and robust platform for collaborative training and development.

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    Continuing, Professor Anosike said the strategic move aligns with management’s commitment in  fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

    He said :” We are confident that the LMS will revolutionize our training programmes  and set a new standard for online learning within the agency and in extension to the public that are interested in gaining knowledge in respect to the products and services of NIMET.

    “This move is also in line with the performance bond the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, signed with Aviation Agencies’ Heads and their Directors in February 2024. The development of human capacity is a key deliverable in the performance bond.”

  • NiMET unveils e-learning system for global opportunities

    NiMET unveils e-learning system for global opportunities

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has launched a global learning management system integrated with Microsoft Teams.

    According to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Professor Charles Anosike, the platform will enhance its global opportunities as well as create a window of collaboration with other reputable organizations.

    He said the platform is aimed at significantly boosting capacity development among its personnel as well as driving the online interactive training arms of the agency.

    Besides, Anosike said the integration of Microsoft Teams with the Learning management system will provide its personnel and learning institutes with a seamless and robust platform for collaborative training and development.

    Read Also: NIMET, institute collaborate on risk management best practices

    Anosike said the strategic move aligns with management’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

    He said: “We are confident that the LMS will revolutionize our training programmes and set a new standard for online learning within the agency and extension to the public that is interested in gaining knowledge with respect to the products and services of NIMET.

    “This move is also in line with the performance bond the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, signed with Aviation Agencies’ Heads and their Directors in February 2024. The development of human capacity is a key deliverable in the performance bond.”

  • NIMET, institute collaborate on risk management best practices

    NIMET, institute collaborate on risk management best practices

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) have concluded  plans  to collaborate in strengthening and promoting best practices in risk management in the agency.

    This formed part of the outcome of the courtesy visit on the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, by Mr Victor Olannye, Registrar/Chief Executive of CRMI and other members of the Governing Council of the institute.

    During the visit, Mr Olannye briefed Prof. Anosike of the activities of CRMI including the membership cadres, upcoming seminars and conferences, certifications and available risk management education.

    “The Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) has observed the impressive developments at NiMet under the leadership of Professor Charles Anosike as DG/CEO such as provision of enhanced meteorological services, helping to mitigate aviation and other sectorial risks through its various early warnings, weather and climate information, capacity development for staff.

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     We also note the rising profile of NiMet locally and internationally under Prof. Anosike’s watch. As a result of all these and more, the Governing Council of CRMI is pleased to invite Professor Charles Anosike, DG/CEO of NiMet to join the CRMI Council. Council has also approved that he be awarded fellowship of the institute”, Mr Olannye said.

    Responding, Professor Anosike said that climate change has changed the perception of risk management.

    “NiMet’s weather and climate forecasts contribute towards climate risk management. Today, even financial institutions are integrating climate risks in their operations. I charge the CRMI to include climate risk certification in its curriculum. We welcome the idea to partner with the institute as I believe that the relationship will be mutually beneficial. CRMI among other things will also help NiMet to strengthen its risk management processes.

    “We will look into CRMI’s request to join the Council to see if we are allowed to do so”.

  • NIMET partners NGO on mapping for vulnerable communities

    NIMET partners NGO on mapping for vulnerable communities

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Save The Children (a non-governmental  organisation), to enhance the provision of early warning for vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the signing, which took place at NiMet headquarters, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, said  the partnership will enable NiMet and Save the Children to collaborate on disaster risk reduction projects.

    Professor Anosike revealed that NiMet is already doing risk assessment mapping, and that both organizations can use the vulnerability map to strengthen what they do.

    Speaking further, Professor Anosike observed that NiMet is also developing crop calendar for farmers. 

    “Although we are gathering information from the farmers, they also need support. For us to be able to follow the standardised way of providing extension and advisory services to farmers, developing this platform together with your team will be really impactful. We will share experiences. It will be all encompassing and will also address farmers and herders conflict”, he concluded.

    Responding, the Deputy Country Director of Save The Children, Poston Kragnigr said that his organisation is one of the few organisations in Nigeria that have been responding to humanitarian disasters in the North East, North West and across Nigeria.

    “We have developed Early Warning  Systems which is an ICT -based platform. 

    “The main idea is to get alerts on time and ensure that communities get the information on time and become more resilient. 

    Read Also: Flood likely as NiMet predicts heavy rainfall in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, others

    “This will lead to reduction of the negative impact of such disasters. This is why we want to develop a strategic partnership with NiMet”, he said.

    Kragnigr added that Save the Children plans to upgrade their platform to be able to receive forecast that is tailored for Nigeria, especially for communities that are at risk of flooding so that they will get alerts before the event occurs so as to reduce its negative impact. 

    Save the Children is an International non-governmental organisation with presence in 120 countries and has been in Nigeria since 2001 with offices in 21 out of 36 states of Nigeria. 

    In 2023, the NGO launched an early warning system and collaborated with NiMet, NIHSA, NEMA, Federal Ministries of Environment and Humanitarian Affairs.

  • Flood likely as NiMet predicts heavy rainfall in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, others

    Flood likely as NiMet predicts heavy rainfall in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, others

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted very heavy rainfall in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the week.

    Fourteen other states were also predicted to experience heavy rains.

    The agency said the rainfall could lead to flash floods on roads, bridges, and low-lying areas which could lead to disruption of vehicular movement.

    This was contained in its weekly weather forecast bulletin of June 26 to July 3.

    It reads: “During the week, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is expected to be weak within the week over the West African region. Good moisture influx and velocity divergence is expected to enhance the prospects of very heavy rainfall in parts of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

    Read Also: Flood likely as NiMet predicts ‘very heavy’ rainfall in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, others

    “Heavy rainfall is expected over parts of Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Osun, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Imo, Rivers, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Taraba states.

    “Moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Adamawa, Kwara, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Benue, Taraba and Adamawa states.

    “Moderate rainfall is anticipated over parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, FCT, Niger, Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Anambra and Enugu states. Low Rainfall is expected over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe.”

  • NiMET boosts internal audit processes

    NiMET boosts internal audit processes

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is intensifying the implementation of Quality Management Standards (QMS) across departments in the agency.

    This followed the approval by the DG/CEO of the agency, Prof. Charles Anosike, for the training of additional personnel as internal auditors by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), preparatory to migration to the current International Standard ISO 21001:2018 for Educational Organisation Management System.

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    Speaking at the ISO 29990:2010 standard internal audit of processes at NiMet’s Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Oshodi, Lagos, the Head, Quality Management System (QMS), at NiMet, Usman Abdulrahman said: “NiMet Management under the leadership of Prof. Anosike has prioritized staff capacity development and is putting in place processes to improve the services provided by NiMet”.

    The internal audit of processes at the RTC also provides a transparent analysis of our programs; Basic Meteorological Observation Course (BMOC), Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians (BIP – MT), Basic Meteorological Package for Meteorologists (BIP – M) and other specialized training courses in Meteorology and Agro – meteorology.

  • NIMET boosts internal audit processes with personnel training

    NIMET boosts internal audit processes with personnel training

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) is intensifying the implementation of quality management standards (QMS) across departments in the agency.

    This followed the approval by the DG/CEO of the agency, Prof. Charles Anosike, for the training of additional personnel as internal auditors by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), preparatory to migration to the current International Standard ISO 21001:2018 for Educational Organization Management System.

    Speaking at the ISO 29990:2010 standard internal audit of processes at NiMet’s Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Oshodi, Lagos, the Head of Quality Management System (QMS), at NiMet, Usman Abdulrahman said; “NiMet Management under the leadership of Professor Charles Anosike has prioritized staff capacity development and is putting in place processes to improve the services provided by NiMet”.

    Read Also: NiMet staff undergo internal audit training by SON

    Abdulrahman said: “Internal audit of NiMet’s RTC Oshodi which took place from the 20th – 21st June 2024, against the ISO 29990:2010 standard, which ensures that the design, development, and delivery of the learning experience we provide at RTC meet the ISO requirements and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standards.

    “The internal audit of processes at the RTC also provides a transparent analysis of our programs; Basic Meteorological Observation Course (BMOC), Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians (BIP – MT), Basic Meteorological Package for Meteorologists (BIP – M) and other specialized training courses in Meteorology and Agro – meteorology.”

  • NiMet staff undergo internal audit training by SON

    NiMet staff undergo internal audit training by SON

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) staff have undergone internal audit training by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON).

    The training was approved by the director general of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike in preparation to migrate to the current International Standard ISO 21001:2018 for educational organization management system.

    The agency stated that it is intensifying efforts for the implementation of quality management standards (QMS) across various departments.

    Read Also: NiMet predicts heavy rainfall in 14 States this week

    Speaking at the ISO 29990:2010 standard internal audit of processes at NiMet’s Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Oshodi, Lagos, the Head of Quality Management System (QMS), at NiMet, Usman Abdulrahman said: “NiMet Management under the leadership of Prof. Anosike has prioritized staff capacity development and is putting in place processes to improve the services provided by NiMet.

    “The training is aimed at ensuring that the design, development, and delivery of the learning experience we provide at RTC meet the ISO requirements and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) standards.

    “The internal audit of processes also provides transparent analysis of our programs; Basic Meteorological Observation Course (BMOC), Basic Instruction Package for Meteorological Technicians (BIP – MT), Basic Meteorological Package for Meteorologists (BIP – M), and other specialized training courses in Meteorology and Agro – meteorology”.

    “The ISO 29990 standard is implemented at the RTC Oshodi to provide a unified standard for learning service provision and life-long learning experience for interested parties in meteorological services of Nigeria, Western Africa, Africa and large centres around the World.”