The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Greenfield University, Kaduna state in a meeting which took place at the NiMET’s office in Abuja on Monday March 4.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMET, Prof. Charles Anosike, explained during the meeting that the agency’s University Network Programme is aimed at promoting early weather and climate warnings to farmers around the university’s vicinity in order to boost agricultural yield.
Recent studies show that Kaduna state, the center for learning is among the top ten farming states across the federation.
In a statement released by the agency on its official X page (formerly twitter) Prof. Anosike while speaking at the signing event, charged the relevant parties to the MoU to endeavor to fulfill all obligations as contained in the MoU.
“NiMET is exploring more avenues to reach Nigerian farmers. This will guarantee that all citizens are protected by early weather and climate warnings against the vagaries associated with climate and weather disasters,” Prof. Anosike stated.
The DG of NiMET further stated the agency’s commitment towards assisting farmers with weather information to ensure food security which he explained is a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed.
According to the statement released, the MoU covers data sharing between NiMET and Greenfield University, staff development and establishment of an automatic weather observatory within the university.
The weather observatory is expected to form part of NiMET’s network of weather stations transmitting data to the Agency’s general server, which will be analyzed for the overall benefit of Nigerians and critical sectors.
The Vice Chancellor of Greenfield University, Prof. Aiyedogbon, while applauding the DG and the NiMET’s Management for the successful presentation of the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), stated that information contained in the SCP document will help to ensure that all scetors, especially the agriculture sector, are better prepared for any weather-induced disaster.
He further expressed that they will also leverage the university’s network of collaborations and influence to support the development of meteorology within the university’s area of influence.
The MoU signing was witnessed by the Director, Legal Services, NiMET, Barr. Shola Gabriel and other staff of the agency, the Vice Chancellor (VC), Greenfield University, Prof. Aiyedogbon, who signed on behalf of Greenfield University, the immediate past VC now consultant, Prof. John Gambo Laah, the Registrar, Muhammad Basir, while Prof. Aiyedogbon also signed the MoU on behalf of NiMET.
