By Dr. Uche Nworah
Industry stakeholders viewed the appointment of Prof. Charles Anosike as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as a round peg in a round hole. This is because, before the appointment, he was serving as the Director of the Directorate of Applied Meteorological Services (DAMS), one of the key directorates and engine rooms in the agency.
Asked what he would like to be remembered by when he completes his tenure, Prof. Anosike said; “I need to ensure that I create value in NiMet. Value comes in different forms. The use of meteorological data to improve our livelihood, improve the accuracy of our predictions, and ensure efficient and effective dissemination of climate information. When people get timely weather information, understand and can use it effectively to improve planning and make climate-smart decisions as a result, that creates sustainable value. Staff welfare is fundamental. In the end, NiMet meteorologists and other staff will be able to say that this DG/CEO brought this idea and in that period we were vibrant and were better off. These and more are what I want to be remembered for”.
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Also asked what the issues that need to be addressed at NiMet are, Professor Anosike said that he likes to focus on opportunities, not challenges. “I think that one of the lowest hanging fruit for me is to reach out to the private sector for their support and for their participation in what we do so that they can begin to see the value in what NiMet does”. Professor Anosike has done very well in this regard.
In line with the performance bond signed with Chief Executive Officers and Directors of parastatals by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Professor Anosike, and the management team have done so much to operationalize the 5-point agenda of the Ministry under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Festus Keyamo SAN.
In 2024, NiMet undertook rigorous metadata exercises to thoroughly evaluate the functionality and effectiveness of its weather observation stations. The Metadata exercise was a success; all the stations in Nigeria have been updated.
For the first time in the agency’s history, Prof. Anosike was able to attract the partnership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) during the unveiling ceremony of the 2024 NiMet Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP). Also, NiMet under Professor Anosike is attracting a lot of attention from both local and international partners, government ministries, agencies, and departments, many of which the agency has signed service delivery MOUs in different areas including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), on Thursday, 12th December 2024 hosted the 2nd roundtable meeting on ‘Anticipatory Action Framework For Nigeria’, aimed at developing a unified approach and framework for anticipatory action in Nigeria. The Roundtable meeting which would be expanded was convened by the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
NiMet and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa – MOWCA, have agreed on joint action to promote maritime weather observation, early warnings, and capacity building (focusing on Marine Meteorology) for MOWCA member states.
Hitherto, NiMet staff had long complained of a lack of training opportunities. In the last year, all cadres of staff have benefited from the renewed drive by management to prioritize human capacity development in the agency.
NiMet organized a week-long training for its State Meteorological Managers (SMMs). The agency also organized a training session on the ‘Balanced Scorecard Performance Management System’ for the Directors and senior management staff of the agency. The board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has granted the National Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology (NMIST), an institution belonging to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), recognition to operate as a mono-technic institution. The Board also granted the institution approval to commence National Diploma (Meteorology), and National Diploma (Climate Change Sciences) programmes at its Oshodi, Lagos, location.
Industrial harmony has returned to NiMet as the unions now have confidence in the management and trust its labour-friendly policies. Through constructive stakeholder engagement which has become the hallmark of Prof. Anosike’s people-friendly leadership style at NiMet, a planned industrial action scheduled to begin on Monday, 20th May 2024 over the non-payment of outstanding 45-month minimum wage arrears dating back to 2019 owed to staff of the agency by the federal government was averted The payment has now been made.
NiMet under Professor Anosike has witnessed the introduction of technological innovations in its operations. Computer hardware and software and other meteorological equipment are being bought newly or repaired to enable staff to carry out their functions effectively.
The ICT unit has successfully restored NiMet Data Centre to near-optimal performance and has also successfully carried out the integration and completion of Climsoft, a climate management system. The agency has also launched a brand new interactive website with many features. Its social media pages are now very active and are regularly updated with current weather and climate information filled with creative weather graphics and animations.
A brand new digital weather studio with improved graphics and animation capabilities that compare with what is obtainable abroad has been launched. Combined with the newly introduced NiMet-branded jackets and clothing for weather presenters, Nigerians, and other publics are in for a whole new weather viewing experience.
Professor Anosike and his team have revamped the agency’s flagship annual event – The Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), the annual event where the agency releases weather and climate predictions for the year. With renewed partnerships and support, NiMet will be able to do more in the area of downscaling the SCP to communities nationwide. This is an agenda Professor Anosike is very passionate about.
Aviation safety has also been prioritized under Prof. Anosike at NiMet. Through the Quality Management System Unit in the office of the DG/CEO, a lot has been achieved by way of training, re-training, and certifications.
Under Prof. Anosike, the data archive center has been renovated and equipped as part of management’s data rescue project. The Management has reactivated the moribund carpentry workshop at the Agency’s Regional Training Center (RTC), in Oshodi, Lagos. The workshop produces furniture and woodwork for the Agency’s use. It also accepts orders from external clients for customized carpentry and furniture works.
The outlook for NiMet in the coming years is positive. Professor Anosike has reiterated his focus and that of management in the coming years. “There will be considerable focus on improving NiMet’s monitoring and observation infrastructure and better information sharing. We will Improve our weather modeling and early warning using artificial intelligence and big data analysis to improve the accuracy and timeliness of early warnings. Also, we plan to strengthen our Public Private Partnerships Engagements”, Professor Anosike said.
For these and several other achievements so far recorded as the DG/CEO of NiMet since the assumption of duty, it is deserving to say kudos to Professor Anosike. As he continues to navigate the affairs at NiMet as DG/CEO, the expectation is that the management, staff of NiMet, and relevant stakeholders will continue to support the agency so that the agency will continue to achieve its mandate of observing, analyzing, timely and accurate reporting of weather and climate information for socio-economic development and safety of lives and property.
Nworah, a climate change enthusiast wrote from Abuja.
