By Favour Nnabugwu
 

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike has said that the university network programme of the agency is aimed at promoting early weather and climate warnings to farmers around the university’s vicinity in order to boost agricultural yield.

Professor Anosike while speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between NiMet and Greenfield University, Kaduna State, on Monday, 5th March 2024, charged the relevant parties to the MoU to endeavour to fulfill all obligations contained in the MoU.

“NiMet is exploring more avenues to reach Nigerian farmers. This will guarantee that all citizens are protected by early weather and climate warnings against the vagaries associated with climate and weather disasters”, Professor Anosike said.

“NiMet is fully committed to assisting farmers with weather information to ensure food security. This is a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government”, Professor Anosike concluded.

The MoU covers data sharing between NiMet and Greenfield University, staff development, and establishment of an automatic weather observatory within the University. The weather observatory will form part of NiMet’s network of weather stations transmitting data to the Agency’s general server, which would be analyzed for the overall benefit of Nigerians and critical sectors.

The Vice Chancellor of Greenfield University, Professor John Aiyedogbon, accompanied by the immediate past Vice Chancellor now a consultant, Professor John Gambo Laah, and the Registrar, Muhammad Bashir, applauded Professor Anosike and NiMet’s management for the successful presentation of the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).

Professor Aiyedogbon said that the information contained in the SCP document will help to ensure that all sectors, especially the Agriculture sector, are better prepared for any weather-induced disaster. He added that Greenfield university is looking forward to a robust relationship with NiMet where the students, university community and the entire Kaduna State would benefit.

“We will also leverage on the university’s network of collaborations and influence to support the development of meteorology within the university’s area of influence”, Professor Aiyedogbon concluded.

The MoU signing was witnessed by the Director, Legal Services of NiMet, Barr. Shola Gabriel and other staff of the Agency. The VC of Greenfield University, Professor John Aiyedogbon signed the MoU on behalf Greenfield University while Professor Charles Anosike signed on behalf of NiMet.