Khadijat Yusuf
Abuja
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in collaboration with First Green White Resources (FGWR), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening public access to timely and accurate weather information.
The Director General of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike reaffirmed this at a media dialogue themed: "Weather and Climate Reporting for the Safety of Lives."
The event which held in Abuja, brought together journalists, media executives, climate experts, and NiMet officials to enhance synergy between meteorologists and the media.
Declaring the workshop open, DG of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, emphasized the critical role of the media in safeguarding lives and livelihoods through the effective communication of weather forecasts and climate data.
"Our weather forecasts and early warnings enhance disaster preparedness, guide agricultural activities, support safe aviation, and protect lives. But their value depends not just on scientific accuracy but also on how well that information is communicated to the public. That’s where the media comes in," he said.
Professor Anosike highlighted strategic efforts by the agency under his leadership to modernize operations and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. These include extensive staff training both locally and internationally, improved welfare packages, and prompt payment of inherited staff salaries and benefits.
He assured participants that NiMet remains committed to improving service delivery and fostering transparency with stakeholders, especially journalists and civil society organizations.
“This dialogue is part of our efforts to build mutual trust and equip you with the knowledge and tools to report climate and weather issues more effectively. Our goal is a Nigeria that is better informed, more resilient, and well-prepared to face climate variability and extreme weather events,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, the dialogue’s facilitator, Mr. Bonaventure Melah, who doubles as the CEO of FGWR and a veteran journalist, commended NiMet for prioritizing media engagement. He stressed that the theme of the dialogue could not have come at a better time, given the increasing impact of climate change on lives, the economy, and the environment.
“Weather and climate reporting go beyond statistics it’s about public safety. Journalists must be empowered to interpret and relay this information accurately. This gathering is an opportunity to explore how we can improve communication strategies, access to scientific data, and strengthen collaboration between the media and NiMet experts,” Melah noted.
He urged media practitioners to freely share the challenges they encounter in accessing reliable meteorological data, and called on NiMet to remain open and responsive to journalists’ information needs. “Together, we can reduce friction and suspicion between climate reporters and scientific agencies,” he added.
Mr. Ahaziah Suleiman, former Executive Director of Voice of Nigeria, spoke on the economic and safety relevance of accurate and timely weather reporting. He explained that many sectors especially agriculture, aviation, and construction depend on reliable weather information to avoid losses and improve efficiency.
“Every missed forecast has a cost. Journalists must not only report weather conditions but help the public understand what they mean. Moving to impact-based forecasting will help people act, not just react,” Suleiman said.
Also speaking, Madam Glory Onyegbule, Director of Applied Meteorological Services at NiMet, underscored the urgency of climate change awareness.
“Climate change is real and it is here. The media must highlight both the science and the human impact of climate change, especially on vulnerable communities. Climate communication must provoke both awareness and action,” she stated.
Dr. Wasiu Ibrahim, of NiMet’s Directorate of Weather Forecasting Services, took participants through key forecasting tools and techniques, including forecast verification, CAPE, wet bulb temperature, vorticity, and the Puma platform. He announced that NiMet is moving toward Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) to improve public comprehension and safety.
“We’ve also developed a dedicated mailing list for journalists and stakeholders to receive real-time forecasts and weather alerts. It’s part of our effort to bridge the gap between data and decision-making,” Dr. Ibrahim added.
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