6th April, 2017
The Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Sani Mashi, has pledged Nigeria’s continuous support for World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) activities and programmes in the West African sub-region.
Mrs Tessy Ushie, Assistant General Manager, NiMet’s Public Relations Unit, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Mashi, who is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to WMO, made the promise during his maiden visit to the organisation’s Sub–Regional Office in Abuja on Thursday.
He appreciated the global body for its recognition of NiMet’s contribution to the development of meteorology, especially in the area of manpower development and support to other countries in the region.
NiMet boss reiterated his commitment towards re-positioning the WMO Regional Training School in Lagos in compliance with WMO standards, giving assurances that NiMet has the capacity and wherewithal to run the institute.
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“As host of WMO Regional Training School, NiMet has the capacity and wherewithal to run the school and we will reposition the school in compliance with WMO standards,’’ he said.
Earlier, Mr Benard Gomez, WMO’s Representative for North, Central and West Africa, commended Nigeria’s leading role in the development of meteorology in the region.
Gomez specifically noted how NiMet facilitated the provision of weather forecast for Sierra Leone and Liberia since the devastating outbreak of Ebola, and the hosting of the WMO’s training school in Oshodi.
He said it was important to have experts in the field of meteorology, especially in these days of Climate Change and extreme weather events, which the training school facilitates in the region.
Gomez also commended the Federal Government for the great support and its high level of ownership of meteorological programmes in the region.
He, however, emphasised the need for continuous exchange of ideas between the two organisations to promote WMO ideals in the region.