By Nkechi Eze
As part of steps to enhance its capacity for climate data management and analysis, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in collaboration with the International Research Institute (IRI) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is set to train its staff.
A statement signed and made available to newsmen by the agency’s spokesperson disclosed that select staff of NiMet will benefit from the training. The statement further disclosed that the training is part of Building Agricultural Systems Resilience in Nigeria Project (2024-2026) being implemented by Sahel Consulting.
“Staff of the agency had benefited in the past from a related training under the terms of the partnership. The training will be facilitated by the key technical partner to the project, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), part of the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University.
“The training programme which is in two parts will take place between February 18th to 21st for the Training of Trainers (ToT) session, and from February 24th to 28th for the training session by NiMet staff cascaded to participants from relevant ministries and agencies under the supervision of an IRI resource person.” He said.
While receiving Dr.Tufa Dinku, Research Scientist with the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), who was in his office to brief him on preparations for the training, on Monday, 17th February 2025, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike thanked The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its training providers for the opportunity to train staff of the agency.
“Access to high-quality climate data and information is crucial for developing effective, decision-relevant, and sustainable climate services.
“The training will improve the capacity of our staff, the beneficiaries of the training, and others who would also benefit, in effectively using climate information products”, Prof. Anosike said.
