All Posts in "Technology"

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
FAAN, private investor to develop N56bn Aerotropolis City in Akure Airport

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria FAAN in partnership with private investor developed a N56billion Aerotropolis city in Akure Airport, Ondo State.

An Aerotropolis City, said to be the first of its kind in sub-sahara Africa, has finalused arrangement between FAAN and a private company, Ala Resort Ltd, to develop and transform the Akure Airport to an aerotropolis city.

Infrastructural facilities of the aerotropolis, is expected to gulp N56 billion while no fewer than 14,000 skilled workers would be engaged.

Speaking with newsmen in Akure, the General Manager, Business Development, FAAN Headquarters, Mr. Hycinth Ngwu, said the decision was anchored on private/public partnership geared towards developing an aerotropolis in the airport.

Ngwu poined out that the project was a revolution in the way the authority generates revenue.

He assured that the project, which the groundbreaking would hold on Tuesday, would be executed as planned and Akure Airport would be the best.

The General Manager, appreciated the host community, Ondo State government and all stakeholders saying that “It’s of the interest of all stakeholders to support the project. It will increase revenue base of the state and local government.

“Certainly majority of the employees will come from the locality. They should support it because it will transform to their successes.

“We intend to replicate this in other airports. We started in Akure because it initially had the largest land mass before being overtaken recently by Abuja Airport.”

The Chief Executive Officer of the resort, Mr. Moyosola Niran-Oladunni, explained that the company was bringing ideas that would impact value on the state.

Niran-Oladunni said “the Aerotropolis City, which would be first of its kind in sub-sahara Africa, would drive lives around aviation industry.

According to him, the resort had begun moves on the Aerotropolis since 2017 when experts were invited to assess the airport for its suitability for the project.

He said that FAAN had approved the project, which he said would be constructed in phases including institutional, industrial, commercial and agricultural.

According to him, “the Aerotropolis City would parade institutional zone including Sports Academy that could host any club, which would be built by Emirate Foundation, medical centre, to be built by a US company.

“The industrial zone would also enable all materials to be used for the construction to be assembled and manufactured in the sector within.

Niran-Oladunni added that the Aerotropolis has the potential to catalyse cargo business in the airport, saying the airport authority would activate the cargo shed in the airport.

He disclosed that” no fewer than 14,000 skilled workers would be engaged by the Aerotropolis City which the infrastructure facilities would gulp N56billion.

The Airport manager, Akure, Mrs. Lynda Ezike ,assured that the management and staff of the airport were expectant and ready to support the proposed unprecedented developmental mega project in the airport.

According to her, “We are ready to support Ala Resort Ltd in ensuring the success of this mega project which is for the betterment of all stakeholders.” End

Patoma Admin by — May 8, 2023 in Aviation 0
IRC seeks to extend, expand  MOU with NiMet after success

CAPTION:
L-Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu and the International Rescue Committee Governance Coordinator, Dorcas Kingsley David during the meeting in Abuja
By Favour Nnabugwu
After the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the  Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), , the International Rescue Committee (IRC),, has proposed to expand and extend the scope and duration of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both organisations
This was disclosed during  a courtesy visit by the IRC team to the NiMet Headquarters, Abuja, yesterday.
The International Rescue Committee Team, which was led by the IRC Governance Coordinator, Dorcas Kingsley David, in her remarks explained that IRC and NiMet had previously signed a one-year MoU on a project that recorded great success in Yola, Adamawa State, and following the critical role played by NiMet in attaining this feat, IRC was prompted to seek for a broad ranging Memorandum of Understanding whereby NiMet and IRC can have a long-term partnership on the provision of weather and climate services as well as help design  projects targeted at mitigating climate disasters and enhancing early warning for communities across Nigeria.
 Expressing further the aim of the intending MoU between IRC and NiMet, the Governance Coordinator said that the collaboration will enable access to rainfall data, develop a trigger system for rainfall and rainfall intensity alert, flood forecast and subsequent provision of early warning alert to communities.
The Director General of NiMet Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu who was represented by the Director of Applied Meteorological Services, Prof. Charles Anosike disclosed that NiMet has an established interest in private public partnership and has been collaborating with various stakeholders to provide climate services that is tailor made to enhance sustainable development as well as improve the socio-economic well-being of the Nation.
Prof. Matazu also noted that the expansion of the MoU is an essential development as it enables NiMet and IRC to extend their reach and build a community that is weather smart as well as implement policies and services that can mitigate climate disaster.
Concluding his remark, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, commended the effort of the International Rescue Committee on her strategic action plan to curb climate disaster and reiterates that NiMet is committed to providing quality, accurate and timely climate advisories geared towards the support of human development as well as create awareness on the socio economic impacts of climate and weather on different sectors of the nation’s economy.
Patoma Admin by — April 27, 2023 in Aviation 0
NiMet renounces NLSRC on Lightning across Nigeria

By Favour Nnabugwu
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has disclaimed unauthorized the action of the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) alerting the public to the possibility of lightning strikes across Nigeria in the month of May, 2023.
NiMet wishes to inform the public that at no time did it authorize NLSRC to issue any such weather forecast to the public, as this is the statutory function of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
NiMet is statutorily mandated under Sections 7 (1) (a) and (i) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act, 2022 (NiMet Act), to advise the Federal Government on ALL aspects of meteorology and to collect, process and disseminate ALL meteorological data and information within and outside Nigeria.
NiMet in a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim also the SOLE AUTHORITY to prescribe and issue the meteorological data and information required for all sectoral activities in Nigeria (Section 7(2)).
Further to the above stated provisions, any person who collects, uses or disseminates weather forecast or any other meteorological information obtained from any other source outside the approval, licence or authority of the Agency for commercial or public purpose, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both (Section 30 (2) of the NiMet Act).
Consequently, the public is hereby advised to totally discountenance the information issued/disseminated by the NLSRC as stated above, as well as any meteorological information issued or to be issued by this body or from any source outside of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency or the Agency’s approval/authorization.
NiMet is not responsible or liable in any way for any consequence(s) resulting from reliance or acting upon the said weather information issued by NLSRC or any meteorological/weather information obtained from any source outside of its approval/authorization.
The public is hereby advised to obtain all weather related information/warning from NiMet Headquarters Abuja, NiMet official website @ www.nimet.gov.ng, any duly authorised publication or any NiMet licensed/authorized body, in line with the requirements of the law, as this will help ensure the accuracy and reliability of such information.
The public is further advised to promptly report any observed unauthorized dissemination of weather/meteorological information to the Agency through the office of the Director General/CEO or send an Email to info@nimet.gov.ng.
Patoma Admin by — April 24, 2023 in Aviation 0
NiMeT warns public against FB, What app, LinkedIn, emails, phone numbers for DG, Prof Matazu

By Favour Nnabugwu
The management of Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet) has dissociate itself from the Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, email, phone numbers create on behalf it’s Director-General, Prof Mansur Bako Matazu and warned unsuspecting public against such accounts.
This is to notify the general public that some unscrupulous persons have created fake Facebook, WhatsApp,  LinkedIn  accounts as well as email and phone numbers for the Director General/CEO of  Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu and have been using such to defraud the innocent unsuspecting public.
NiMeT in a statement singed by the General Manager of Public Relations Department, Mallam Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, advised the public against falling prey to such accounts by unscrupulous elements for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
“The general public is therefore advised to be careful of these people.
Any enquires should be directed through our website or using our mail, info@nimet.gov.ng”
While pledging our continuous services, to stakeholders and the general public, we  assure you that the relevant security agencies have been notified and are on the trail of those committing this act. They will soon be caught and made to face the wrath of the law.
Patoma Admin by — April 12, 2023 in Aviation 0
DG NiMet, Mansur Bako Matazu now a governing board member of NOSDRA

By Favour Nnabugwu
 
The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, ((NiMet), Prof Mansur Bako Matazu has been appointed as member of the Governing Board of National Oil Spill Detection And Response Agency (NOSDRA).
The approval was contained in a letter  to the Honourable Minister of Environment, signed on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Aviation by the Director ( Human Resource Management) of the Ministry of Aviation.
” I am directed to refer to your letter No FMENV/PRS/1782/1/18 dated 29th March, 2023 on the above subject and convey the approval of the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu to serve on the Governing Board of the National Oil Spill Detection And Response Agency (NOSDRA).” The letter reads.
By this appointment, Prof. Matazu is expected to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to bear.
Patoma Admin by — April 8, 2023 in Aviation 0
UN-OCHA collaborates with NiMeT on humanitarian

CAPTION:
L-Director-General of the the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof Mansur Bako Matazu and Head of Office for Nigeria of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), Trond Jensen
By Favour Nnabugwu
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) has expressed interest to work with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
This was made known when a team from the UN body paid a courtesy visit to the NiMet headquarters yesterday.
Speaking on the purpose of their visit the leader of the team and Head of Office for Nigeria, Trond Jensen said he was impressed by the analysis and the work that NiMet is doing that the purpose of the visit is to continue it’s advocacy efforts to enhance the urgency, efficiency, and quality of humanitarian response in the north east states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
“One of the things we want to do this year together with the government Institutions that we are working with is to be better prepared for the rainy season this year”.
He noted that last year was a national disaster in terms of the extent and impact of the flooding, also in terms of the damage to infrastructure.
Mr Jensen emphasized that their desire is to work more closely with NiMet.
” We want to work more closely with you in terms of understanding what might happen this year, compared to last year and how we can work better, working with you in terms of preparedness, in terms of anticipatory action where your input is actually critical for us to understand how the inclement weather would impact on the humanitarian work”. He said.
Responding the Director General of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu observed that both organisations have a common goal and the  convergence of providing early warning for all.
He explained that NiMet has achieved certain level of leadership role in the continent based on the provision of climate services from co-generation to effective dissemination and getting feedbacks within the value chain.
Prof. Matazu revealed further that based on this,  NiMet provides daily weather forecast to Liberia, and Sierra Leone as part of the World Meteorological Organisation VCP programme which has been on for almost seven years to date.
He disclosed that ” We are also implementing the WMO SOFF project, we are peer reviewing Liberia and Burkina Faso, Liberia we are doing that alone but with Burkina Faso we are peering with Spanish Met Service. We also want to apply for the second stage to peer review one or two other African states”. He said.
Prof. Matazu revealed that by doing some of these projects NiMet has gained experience to be able to do some of its own national mandate while partnering with some Ministries , Departments and Agencies.
Prof. Matazu said  NiMet is flexible and willing to work with the UN body and assured that ” if we get details of your target location and elements of interest, we can come up with some products specifically for your usage and we can get it relayed to you electronically or we can create a segment in our App, NiMet weather App that can be downloaded from the playstore.
Patoma Admin by — April 8, 2023 in Aviation 0
NIPSS, NiMET tightens knot on research

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet)  have tightened their not on research.

This was made known by the team leader of the Senior Executive Course 45 of the institute, Dr. Emmanuel Sambo Mamman when they visited NiMet headquarters yesterday.

Dr. Emmanuel Sambo Mamman who doubles as the Institute’s librarian, highlighted the functions of the NIPSS and it’s activities, describing the institute as the centre for research and dialogue for academics and policy makers also added that participants are drawn from the public and private sectors of Nigeria.and converge annually in order to solve problems of Nigerian society.

Dr. Mamman revealed that the Senior Executive Course programme is the flagship programme of the institute and runs for ten months. He explained that the programme is driven by a theme given by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria every year and the theme for this year is Industrialization, Climate Change and Energy Security in Nigeria with emphasis on Issues, Challenges and Prospects.

On their purpose for the visit
“We are here because we think your organisation is strategic to the theme for the set of 2023”.

He said the participants are expected to conduct a research and their reason for coming is to gather information for the research after which the participants will produce a final report which would be presented to the President.

In his remarks, the Director General of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu described NiMet as an extension of the University because “Our main duty is to collect, collate and produce products and services in all socio economic sectors of Nigeria that are climate induced or influenced”.

He added that almost all the socio economic sectors are climate induced or influenced and this shows how relevant NiMet services are to the existence of this country. Adding that the agency has data dating as far back as 100 years.

Explaining further Prof. Matazu cited how the intervention of NiMet saved CBN about N120 billion because they adhered to NiMet’s weather advisory.

Part of the visit include presentations by Prof Matazu and by the Director Research and Training in NiMet, Prof. Effiom Essien Oku.  The participants were later taken on a tour of NiMet facility.

Patoma Admin by — April 4, 2023 in Aviation 0