Media critical in nation’s weather report – NiMET DG Anosike  

The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, Prof. Charles Anosike has stated that the media is a critical stakeholder in passing important information on the nation’s weather conditions.

Commending the media for reporting accurately on the nation’s weather forecasts and conditions as unveiled by NIMET, the DG charged newsmen and women on timely reports in order to help avert hazards associated with weather and climate.

Anosike spoke at a one-day media dialogue on Climate and Weather Reporting For Safety of Lives which held in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the DG, “NiMet’s role is critical in safeguarding lives and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

“Our weather forecasts and early warnings enhance disaster preparedness, guide farming and food production, and help pilots avoid hazardous conditions.”

He stressed on the importance of the dialogue, stating that it was aimed at empowering the media and civil society organizations with the knowledge and tools necessary to carry out their vital roles more effectively.

Commenting further on the critical role of the media, he said, “The management of NiMet recognizes the importance and strategic role of the media that the success of NiMet’s mission does not rest solely on the accuracy of our scientific data and forecasts. It equally depends on the effective communication and dissemination of this information to the public, which is where you—the media and civil society groups—play an indispensable role.

The DG further highlighted the effort of NiMET in providing quality service, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.

“Worthy of mention here, is that, within the last one year alone, we have sponsored staff to different categories of trainings within and outside the country. The above is in addition to taking necessary steps to address issues bothering on staff welfare, including the facilitation of the payment of outstanding salaries and other staff claims and benefits inherited by our management,” he said.

Also speaking, the facilitator, Mr. Bonaventure Phillips Melah of the First Green White Resources and Integrated Services said the theme of the dialogue was apt considering the trend of climate change.

He said, ” the theme today is weather and climate reporting; and I consider the topic as very crucial because weather and climate have direct impact on our everyday lives.

“Because the media plays a vital role in informing the public about these critical issues, this dialogue was therefore organized in recognition of the responsibility that rests on our shoulders with regards to the safety of lives and by extension, the overall wellbeing of humanity.”

He charged participating journalists to to ask questions where necessary in order to understand the technicality of weather reporting and to communicate NiMET’s predictions and reports accurately to the general public. He also commented the DG of NiMET and the management for considering the media and civil society organizations as critical stakeholders.

Other speakers hammered on the need for continuous media partnership in ensuring accurate and timely response to weather reports.

Media critical in nation’s weather report – NiMET DG Anosike