….”government alone can’t close early warning gap”, NiMet DG
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has marked the 2025 World Meteorological Day and the 75th anniversary of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) with a strong call to action to close the early warning gap.
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, stressed the critical need for collaborative efforts across all sectors to enhance early warning capabilities, aligning with this year’s theme, “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.”
Speaking at a special ceremony held at NiMet’s headquarters, Prof. Anosike highlighted the necessity of partnerships between national and international entities, policymakers, the private sector, and local communities, particularly the youth, stressing that governmental efforts alone are insufficient.
He paid tribute to the late Professor Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi, a pioneer in meteorology and climate, recognizing his early advocacy for early warnings in disaster risk management.
The NiMET DG asserted that investments in early warning systems yield a ten-fold return, vital for both saving lives and strengthening economies.
While acknowledging NiMet’s contributions to advancing early warning systems through its various forecasts and publications, he also identified persistent challenges such as financial constraints, technological limitations, dissemination issues, security concerns, and system maintenance.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo the WMO, and other stakeholders for their support.
The WMO representative in Nigeria, Bernard Gomez conveyed a message from WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, underscoring the pivotal role of governments and the importance of collaboration.
Gomez further pointed out the necessity for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to serve as authoritative sources of warnings, while acknowledging the private sector’s potential to drive innovation and enhance risk knowledge.
