By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recently hosted a crucial meeting to develop a unified approach to anticipatory action in Nigeria. The 2nd roundtable meeting, held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, focused on creating a framework for anticipatory action to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and climate change.
The meeting was a follow-up to an earlier gathering in November 2024, convened by Vice President Kashim Shettima’s office in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General and CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), welcomed participants to the roundtable meeting, acknowledging the crucial role of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in addressing humanitarian emergencies caused by conflicts, natural disasters, extreme weather events, and climate change ¹. He emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation and partnership to achieve collective success for Nigeria.
Continuing, Professor Anosike said; “In NiMet, with competent personnel and improved technological tools, we provide early warnings products and services through accurate, timely and actionable weather forecasts and climate prediction that allows anticipation of severe weather events. This enables individuals, authorities, and communities prepare for anticipatory early action such as evacuation, resource mobilization, infrastructure reinforcement, etc”.
“Our work, through continuous weather observation, monitoring and reporting, and impact-based forecasting is crucial for disaster
preparedness and response thereby ensuring the right quantity of human and material resources are mobilised for the safety of vulnerable communities”, Professor Anosike concluded.
In his remarks, Trond Jensen, the Head of Office for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria said; “We live in a changing world, both in terms of climate change, and changing demographics which makes some people more vulnerable. However, the prevention is always better than the cure. So our ability to anticipate so that we can prevent or mitigate climate-related incidents, not only do we reduce suffering, but we also save money in the process, which is critical”.
Arch. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, the Director General, of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), said he hoped that from the deliberations, participants would be able to come up with solutions and actionable plans to be able to deliver on the changes required to mitigate climate impacts.
Inna Audu, Special Adviser on Humanitarian and Development Partners to the President in the Office of the Vice President said that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima is concerned about the people and how to help them mitigate all the factors that affect them daily and also yearly when the disasters occur.
Fred Anusim, Deputy Director of Planning and Research at Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who represented the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said that anticipatory action is important in every disaster management policy.
The meeting brought together representatives from various key organizations, including the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
