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NiMet DG Anosike says new mgt to strengthen, reposition operations 

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that the focus of the new management is to strengthen the operations of the agency and reposition it for improved service delivery.

Professor Anosike was speaking on Monday, 8th January, 2024, while declaring open a 3-day NiMet management retreat in Abuja.

“The overriding objective of the 2024 NiMet management retreat is to strengthen collaborative relationships amongst staff of the agency. It’s time to dismantle the imaginary walls and silos built internally over the years which has been stifling productivity. The retreat will give us all a good understanding of the work NiMet does. The science of meteorology should be treated and handled with all seriousness because of its importance and impact on lives, properties and on the economy”.

Continuing, Professor Anosike encouraged the participants to be active during the retreat and make contributions that will help NiMet to achieve its mandate efficiently. “Despite prevailing economic challenges, there are opportunities in the external environment for NiMet. We should aim to reduce wastages in our operations, prioritize spending, and improve our internally generated revenue”.

Concluding, Professor Anosike reminded the participants that although NiMet’s services are directly related to weather and climate in Nigeria, however, forces that drive environmental changes have shown that NiMet’s activities impact all aspects of the Nigerian economy”.

Patoma Admin by — January 8, 2024 in Aviation 0
NiMet warns of sunny, hazy atmosphere for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 

…Wednesday, Thursday, Friday to witness thunderstorms
By Favour Nnabugwu
Nigerian Metrological Agency, NiMet has warned of sunny and hazy atmosphere from Wednesday to Friday in the North and North Central.
The agency also predicted slight dust haze in Inland areas of the South during the forecast period while, few clouds in hazy atmosphere is expected over the Coastal cities with slim prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states during the afternoon/evening period.
Few patches of clouds in hazy atmosphere are expected over the Inland areas of the South and Coastal cities with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states in the afternoon/evening period.
Few patches of clouds in hazy atmosphere are expected over the Inland areas of the South and the Coastal belt with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Bayelsa and Delta states in the afternoon/evening period.
Potential impact/Advisory
NiMet warned people with Asthma and
other respiratory issues to take necessary actions during current weather situations as dust particles are in suspension, public should take
necessary precautions.
Airline operators are advised to
get updated weather reports from
NiMet for effective planning in
their operations.
Patoma Admin by — January 3, 2024 in Aviation 0
NiMet predicts 3-days dust haze across Nigeria

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted three days moderate dust haze across the country from Wednesday to Friday.

In its weather outlook released on Tuesday, NiMet predicted horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km and localised visibility of less than or equal to 1,000 metres over the northern region.

The agency said moderate dust haze is also expected over the north, the north-central and the inland cities of the south on Thursday and Friday.

NiMet also anticipated a hazy atmosphere over the coastal belt of the country throughout the forecast period.
Moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km is expected over the North Central region and the inland cities of the South during the forecast period while hazy atmosphere is envisaged over the coastal cities throughout the forecast period,” the forecast reads.

“Hazy atmosphere is expected over the coastal cities during the forecast period, and the public should take necessary precautions as dust particles will be in the air.”

NiMet advised members of the public to take necessary precautions and asked persons with respiratory ailments to protect themselves.
Airline operators were also advised to avail themselves of weather reports from NiMet for effective planning

Patoma Admin by — December 28, 2023 in Aviation 0
Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo visits NiMet

CAPTION

L-NThe Director- General of the igerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof Mansur Bako Matazu and the Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo during the Minister visit to NiMet

 

 

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

 

Minister of Aviation & Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) paid a brief visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) today.

He was received by the Director General of the Agency, Prof Mansur Bako Matazu, who conducted him on a tour of some key facilities of the Agency.

As part of the tour, the Minister visited the Central Forecast Office (CFO), where he was briefed on how data is generated, transmitted, and translated to forecasts and other products.

The Minister also visited the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Unit as well as the state -of – the -arts weather studio, where he presented an update on today’s weather.

In his remarks after the tour, the Minister, who was impressed by the size and process of operations in NiMet noted “the operations of NiMet are so massive and I am impressed by what I have seen in NiMet, I am impressed by their operations and one can only wish them well”, he said.

Patoma Admin by — August 31, 2023 in Aviation 0
NiMet obtains ISO recertification

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has acquired the recertification of the International Standard Organization ISO 9001:2015 and the International Standard Organization ISO 29990:2010 for the provision of aeronautical meteorological services and capacity building at it’s Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Lagos and MBMIST in Katsina respectively.

The Director General /CEO of NIMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu made this known to the media today.

Prof. Matazu explained ” We took the challenge as far back as 2013 and we have been maintaining this 3 year certificate and we just acquired recertification of ISO 9001:2015 for aeronautical meteorological services in the six major international airports in the country. We are working hard to extend it to 10 more airports across the country.”

On recertification for capacity training, the DG said ” We have also acquired another recertification for ISO 29990:2010 for training. Remember NiMet runs two training institutes like polytechnics, one in Lagos the RTC, which is a World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) accredited training centre and we also have the Muhammadu Buhari Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology (MBMIST), which is accredited by the National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE) as a training centre in Katsina and offers Diploma. So we have acquired ISO 29990:2010 for training on all aspects of meteorology, applied meteorology including climate change”, he explained.

NiMet is the first met service on the African continent to have acquired this certification. Presently the Agency is serving as auditor for some African countries like Malawi, and Gambia. It is of note that NiMet has also been approached by Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to assist and guide them to acquire this certification.

According to Prof. Matazu, the implication of this recertification is like the stamp of standardization of service delivery by an international organisation and gives a guarantee on the precision and efficiency of NiMe’s products and services.

Prof Matazu revealed that his Agency is exposing it’s operations to quality management systems and even transforming to Safety Management Systems (SMS) across all it’s operations in the country. He assured that NiMet is striving to do more and is open to assist other MDAs of government to pass through this process.

Patoma Admin by — August 30, 2023 in Aviation 0
NiMET Awards Service Provider of the Year by LAAC

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has been awarded the Service Provider of the year 2022 award by the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).

The award, which was in recognition of NiMet’s improved service delivery, was presented at the 27th annual conference of LAAC that was held at the Providence Hotel, Lagos this Thursday.

Earlier in his address at the event, the Director General/CEO of Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu described the role of the media in nation building as very important, requiring courage, selflessness and truth, which he ascribes to LAAC in the aviation industry.

“The role of the media in nation building is very important and it requires courage, selflessness and truth while being patriotic. Such is the role of LAAC in the Aviation industry.

“As the nation’s aviation media umbrella body with the responsibility of ensuring adequate coverage and reportage of activities within the industry, LAAC is strategic to the visibility, relevance and growth of the industry”, he noted.

Prof. Matazu who was represented by the Director of Research and Training, Prof Effiom Essien Oku, described the aviation industry as dynamic, vulnerable and fast paced in terms of changing technology.

The Aviation industry is one of the fastest growing industries with a tremendous contribution to the GDP by providing revenue to the nation; livelihoods for workers; catalytic support to other sectors  and growth for the nation among others.

The event was well attended by stakeholders in the Aviation sector and featured paper presentations, panel discussions and the presentation of LAAC magazine, Travelwatch

Patoma Admin by — July 29, 2023 in Aviation 0
WMO RA1 to boost development of Meteorology, Hydrology across Africa

CAPTION
L- Dr Agnes Kijazi, Director, WMO Regional Office for Africa (L) Mr Fetene Teshome President, WMO Regional Association. n I and DG Ethiopian Met. Institute, (R)*
By Favour Nnabugwu
The World Meteorological Organisation, WMO Regional Association I (RA1) has strategised on ways to develop metreological and hydrology in Africa
The Director of the WMO Regional Office for Africa, Dr Agnes Kijazi, while members to Addis Ababa for the  deliberations on issues related to Meteorology and Hydrology in Africa including the Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) said the continent still faced with development challenges.
 “Africa as a region covers 54 countries, 33 of which are Least-Developed Countries (LDCs); 16 Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDCS) and 6 are Small Island Developing States (SIDS); hence faced with several human and infrastructural challenges in the region”.
“The Regional Office will continue its role as the “front-line” of the Organization and constitute a two-way communication between Members and the Secretariat “, she added.
The WMO Regional Association I (RA1) Management Group met in
The group examined the outcomes of the 18th Session of the Regional Association (RA I-18, Phase III) and the 2023 Regional Conference (RECO 2023). It also reviewed the 19th Congress (Cg-19) and 77th Executive Council (EC-77) of WMO for implementation in the region.
The Management Group was further briefed by the chairs/co-chairs of the Committees in the Regional Association on their work plans and activities and expected deliverables for 2023 – 2027 sessions in line with the respective resolutions.
In his opening Statement to the Group, the President of the RA I and Director General (DG) of the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI), Mr Fetene Teshome, stated that the Group have set for itself Strategic Priorities as contained in the Decision of RA I Strategic Plan for 2024–2027.
According to him, the priority will help address the apparent challenges by integrating them into the national strategic Plan.
The WMO Director of Member Services and Development Department, Mr Filipe Lucio, called on the Management Group to ensure that the region’s priorities are addressed and urged them to advise on the appropriate arrangements to enhance the work of NMHSs.
 The RA I Regional Implementation Plan, he said, will be submitted to the SG, which should include significant regional priority areas related to the Congress/Executive Council resolutions/ decisions that addressed thincludinge actions or milestones proposed, the activity description with output/ deliverable, and possible cost implication for the period 2024 – 2027.
Priorities set for address by the RA I Management Group in Infrastructure include Improving the surface-based, upper-air, hydrological and marine observational networks at the national level to comply with GBON requirements. At the regional level, the Group highlighted issues of Regional Basic Observing Network – RBON, Regional WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) Centres (RWCs), Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) and Regional Instrument Calibration Centres (RICs).
The Group stressed the need to improve the capacity of Members on the production, delivery, and access to tailor-made products and services with specific attention to improving services in the aviation and marine sectors for cost recovery purposes.
The Management Group is also committed to ensuring the migration from METEOSAT Second to Third Generation has the priority related to enhancing Members’ capacity on the reception of data and products from the METEOSAT Third Generation.
Transformation of NMHSs into autonomous entities, including cost recovery and diversity in resource generation together with their Digital Transformation and Implementation of LDC and SIDS programme in Africa to support their transition to developing countries, are issues highlighted on the priorities
Patoma Admin by — July 26, 2023 in Aviation 0
NBTE in MBMIST for accreditation on climate change science

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

 

The National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, is currently on a two day official visit to Muhammadu Buhari Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology MBMIST, Katsina state to begin the process that will lead to accreditation of courses  in Climate Change Science and Meteorology in the institute

Speaking on the essence of the visit, the Team Lead, Deputy Director at NBTE Kaduna office,  Dr. Jauro Kutura.D. who represented the Director, NBTE Kaduna office  Alhaji Samaila Tanko disclosed that they are here “for accreditation of two programmes, National Diploma, Meteorology and National Diploma Climate Change Science.

While commending the Rector on the aesthetics of the landscape in the institute, DrJauro observed that MBMIST has started planning towards the new mantra of the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje for skills node degree by incorporating agro allied skills into the institute.

She also noted that the intention to develop curriculum for the HND programmes in Meteorology and Climate Change Science in addition to developing a curriculum for Electrometeorological Engineering technology at ND level is also a big plus for the development of the institute. She said.

Dr. Jauro explained further that NBTE and institutions are partners in progress, stressing that  in carrying out the exercise NBTE does not carry out the exercise alone “rather it involves stakeholders from academias and industries who are professionals in the related field to come and assist  us to carry out this assignment.

So the team is here to assist the adequacy of academic matters, physical and human resources available for the programmes and in the process they would offer their contributions, suggestions and advice for the betterment of the programmes”. She said.

In concluding she solicited for the maximum cooperation from the entire management and staff of the institute to enable her team carry out their assignment successfully and promptly.

In his remarks the Rector of the institute Professor Effiom Oku while welcoming them on behalf of the Chairman of the Governing board and council members, emphasized the importance of the exercise to the institute.

” The accreditation exercise is very important to us. Just like the Team leader has said, the acceptance of our certificate especially as we are about to push out our pioneers, that is why this accreditation is very important to us”. He said and assured the team of maximum cooperation.

As patt of the visit Prof. Oku made a power point presentation on the history of the institute.

The accreditation by NBTE is a systematic review of educatiional programmes to ensure that acceptable standards of education, infrastructure and quality is being maintained.

Patoma Admin by — May 12, 2023 in Aviation 0
NiMet alerts on thunderstorm in FCT, Tabara, Gombe, Borno, other states

 By Favour Nnabugwu
 
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency NiMet has alerted the public on a possible heavy rainfall activities in the coming days in some states in the northern part of the country.
According to a release issued today,
“Thunderstorm cells are currently  observed over the northern parts of the country including Borno, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi and Kano. These are expected to propagate westward to give squally thunderstorm to some cities.”
it reads. The statement further revealed that the current thunderstorm cells are expected to propagate easterly to give thunderstorms accompanied with squall to cities in Plateau, FCT, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Adamama, Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states in the next 2-6 hours.
For areas where thunderstorms are expected, strong winds are likely to precede the rains and as such, trees, electric poles, unsecured objects and weak buildings may be felled, so the public is advised to be cautious and stay in-door especially during heavy rainfall to avoid being struck by lightning.
The statement  advised all Airline operators to avail themselves of weather reports periodically from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
 It also notes that moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash flood, hence the public is advised to take necessary
caution.
Disaster risk managers, agencies and individuals should be proactive, to avert loss of lives and property during the rainy season.
The Central Forecast Office (CFO) in NiMet will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates when necessary.
Patoma Admin by — May 11, 2023 in Aviation 0
NIS explains why passport booklets are scarce

By Favour Nnabugwu
Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has attributed the dearth International passport booklet to unavailablity of foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to aid production abroad.
The NIS and Irris Smart Technology Ltd were before an ad hoc Committee of the House of Representatives investigating the proposed domestication and processing of Nigerian international passport in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking at the public hearing, the  Comptroller-General of the service, Mr Idris Jere said the Service does not have access to the forex it generated.
He lamented the absence of a producing factory in Nigeria, saying that the production of the passport booklets was done abroad.
 “Foreign exchange regulation policy of the government and CBN’s refusal to grant access to forex for importation of the passport booklet.
“We generate forex from sale of passport but we do not have access to buy the same booklet and that is a challenge for NIS.
“The factors responsible for scarcity of passport include the inability to setup passport producing factory in Nigeria as its production is done abroad.
“The major seven component used for producing passports are sold in international market and the assemblage and production are done in Malaysia.
“This makes the production process solely dependent on forex and the scarcity of forex due to the fall in Naira value is of major concern”.
In their own presentation, the foreign contractors handling the passport production, Irris Smart Technology Ltd while advancing the same reason however accused the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting (NSPM) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of sabotaging their efforts at getting foreign exchange.
The managing Director of the Company, Yinka Fisher who appeared before the committee said “Today we have a system where we have a central processing centre with a strong inventory control mechanism.
Last year, we delivered a record number of booklets to NIS which was about 1.9 million booklets. This year, for the first four months, we have delivered nearly 800, 000 booklets. We are on course for another record supply this year.
“Immigration gave mint the opportunity to print the first set of booklets. When they were delivered, it was sub standard in 2004. The government discarded them and decided to have an international tender for the production and embedding of chips.
Continuing he said, “Five companies were invited. Three foreign companies, mint and ourselves to submit bids were analyzed, mint company were found to be incompetent and most expensive. The iris bid was found to be technically competent and competitive.
“Since mint lost that initial bid they have been trying to scuttle the project. In the past, we would ask our bankers to bid for forex on our behalf to open LCs for us. CBN and mint decided they would tell our bankers to stop selling forex to us so that we cannot open LC, so we cannot deliver booklets.
,”We would be in breach of our agreement. They instituted that and for a while, we were at a loss because banks did not sell us forex and we could into open LCs. That was what gave rise to the first scarcity of booklets in Nigeria. It was not our inability to deliver but the sabotage by the CBN and the mint.”
Patoma Admin by — May 9, 2023 in Technology 0