The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has praised the European Union (EU) for its ongoing support in Nigeria.
This commendation came during a visit from a delegation of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Office (DG-ECHO) to his office in Abuja on Monday, May 23, 2024.
During the visit, Professor Anosike expressed enthusiasm for a proposed collaboration between NiMet and DG-ECHO aimed at reducing disaster risks. He highlighted the benefits of this partnership for Nigeria, particularly for farmers and other economic sectors.
Professor Anosike said, NiMet’s daily dissemination of weather and climate information plays a crucial role in mitigating disasters. "Our weather advisories and forecasts contribute significantly to disaster reduction," Anosike noted. "Additionally, the weather data we provide to the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) aids in preparing their annual flood outlook."
Professor Anosike concluded by emphasizing the importance of public awareness regarding extreme weather events, stating, "When people are informed about severe weather conditions, they can take necessary precautions."
Representing the EU team, Lisa De La Rubia, expressed DG-ECHO's recognition of NiMet as a vital partner. She mentioned the office's strong interest in collaborating with NiMet to develop disaster risk reduction strategies over the next three years.
"DG-ECHO sees great potential in partnering with NiMet to establish effective systems and strategies for disaster risk reduction in Nigeria," De La Rubia stated.
The meeting also included Professor Vincent Weli, Director of Weather Forecasting Services at NiMet, along with other senior staff members. The DG-ECHO delegation comprised Charlotte Billoir, Confort Agwu, and Sandie Romero Ruiz.
