The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have commemorated the 2024 World Meteorological Day.
At the event held yesterday at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, said the reason for commemorating the day ahead of the usual 23rd day of March was to ensure effective participation of young ones and other stakeholders. March 23rd falls on Saturday when students will be at home.
Professor Anosike said; “We recognize the indispensable role of meteorology in building a sustainable developed society. From providing accurate weather forecasts to mitigating the impacts of natural disasters, as well as building climate resilient societies, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding lives, property, and livelihoods across the country”.
Continuing, he said that; “Climate change poses an existential threat to our planet, exacerbating extreme weather events, disrupting ecosystems, and endangering vulnerable communities. In the face of these challenges, it has become imperative that we increase our efforts towards building a weather and climate-resilient society”.
“We must not relent at encouraging our young minds to build their capacity for meaningful contributions to effective climate actions that are impactful and measurable”, he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Representative of WMO for North, Central and West Africa, Mr Bernard Gomez said; “The recent fluctuations in the weather witnessed in Nigeria, during this transition from dry to rainy season clearly demonstrate the extreme weather events that we can face across the country. The shifting weather phenomena from heat waves, thunderstorms and thick dust haze happening within a short period, are indicative of a changing climate which calls for concerted efforts by NiMet to be more vigilant and for communities to be responsive to weather forecasts and alerts”.
