By Dwelleth Morountodun
Meteorologists, stakeholders and budding Meteorologists (students) from across the globe (local and international institutions) on Thursday focused discussion and knowledge sharing on the imperatives of weather, climate, water and other natural phenomenon for the survival and sustainability of future generations across generations.
The special day referred to as World Meteorological Day (WMD) provided impetus for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), experts from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Office in Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NiHSA) to mark the day with stocktaking, pomp, sensitization and debates on the future of the aforementioned natural phenomena against human existence.
Addressing stakeholders at the gathering, the Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, who was represented by the Director of Research and Planning, Prof. Effiom Oku, acknowledged that the global warming has been on the upward swing while nations struggle to adjust to the reality of combating climate change amidst economic gains, adding that the average concentration of Green-House-Gases (GHG) in the atmosphere continues to rise with devastating global consequences.
He reiterated that the world celebrates meteorological day on the 23 of March every year even as it commemorates the coming into force on 23rd March 1950 of the convention establishing the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), stressing that prior to this, the International Meteorological Organisation (IMO) existed since 1873, as a cooperation of international bodies working tirelessly together, exchanging data and making forecasts for the good of all.
Matazu, added that the cooperation has been strengthened since the establishment of the WMO.
Society and science have evolved over the years he said. According to him, technology has allowed us to modernise the way activities are conducted in a more concise and efficient manner.
On pervasiveness of weather and climate across the globe, he said it is very clear, however, that no country in the world is immune against the effect of the changing climate, whether as an emitter or non-emitter of these gases. Indeed, happenings over the years have taught us all that weather has no boundary, the DG, added.
“The world has seen ravaging storms cutting across several international borders during their lifecycles. This therefore echoes the essential of cooperation at the core of existence of the WMO.
“As an organisation of 187 member states and 6 member territories, the WMO requires that all its members will operate with common vision and goals. The WMD therefore, offers opportunity for member countries to converge ideas and resources and align in one common thematic area.
The ‘Day’ showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHss) such as NiMet and NIHSA (Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency) to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world.
According to him, the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), around the World have continued to monitor through observation (Air, Land and Water) the weather and climate, providing evidence of the changing climate and leading actions through prediction towards adaptation, mitigation and creation of resilient societies.
“Researchers including the academia around the globe continuously monitor the ocean, the land and the atmosphere, modeling how they are changing, to deliver services that will support weather and climate predictions for safety of life over land, in the atmosphere and at sea.
“Both observation and forecasting continue to improve with increasing technology and highly skilled personnel.”
However, he said the warming trend and anthropogenic activities of humans towards GHG concentrations have continued this upward surge, explaining that while we work tirelessly to improve on our activities, we must not forget to prepare the future generation for the task ahead.
The DG, acknowledged that over the years federal has been investing in meteorological data generation over land, water and in the atmosphere as according to him, the data generated are so critical for past assessments and future predictions including nowcasting.
He said: “In NiMet, we have placed special importance in the future generations by working with the young minds in the country.
“Usually, our weather observers are largely youths who begin their careers in the field of meteorology at a very young age. Similarly, we have designed, developed and implemented a programme called Young Meteorological Ambassadors whose members are here today.
“We have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with several universities in Nigeria to promote the science of meteorology within the academic institutions at tertiary level.
“To support national and regional development, NiMet continues to render services in support of aviation, agriculture, construction, tourism, defence, water resources management, telecommunications, environment and communications.”
Matazu, admitted that the development of the agency’s products and services includes the effective utilisation of young minds as well as the experience within the Agency creating innovations to what we do and how we do them.
This has positively impacted on our routine publications and on-demand services such as the Seasonal Climate Prediction as part of the agency’s meteorological early warning system in line with the United Nations Early Warning for All, he said.
Other products and services from the agency according to him, include Hydrometeorological Bulletin, Annual State of the Climate report in Nigeria, Agrometeorological Bulletin, Climate and Health Bulletin, Daily weather outlooks and bulletins, TV weather forecasts, Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts, Marine Bulletin, Impact-Based Weather Forecast, and multitudes of other routine and on-demand products and services cutting across all socio-economic sectors.
“As an agency, we are also working to preserve our past resources in terms of publications and instrumentation while developing new ones, thereby providing a robust knowledge base for the upcoming generations.
The DG urged stakeholders to invest in our future generations, creating awareness on the dangers of climate change such as extreme weather and loss of livelihoods; and providing opportunities for them to proffer solutions thereby making the world a safer place for All. We must catch them young.
In his remarks, the WMO Representative for North, Central and West Africa, Mr. Bernad Gomez, who was also represented by Dr. Roland Abbah, said for over 150 years the institutions have worked around the clock to collect and standardize data which underpin the weather forecasts and warnings that is now taken for granted.
According to him, the history of WMO data exchange is a remarkable story of scientific vision, technological development and most of all a unique system of cooperation to serve societal needs.
Gomez, said the anniversary reminds of a changing climate, adding that our weather is more extreme, ocean becoming warmer and more acidic with rising sea level, adding Cyclone Freddy in Southern Africa recently claimed 200 lives and caused significant damage of property is a stark reminder of the threat from climate system, stressing that Nigeria lost 600 lives because of flooding in 2022.
He urged stakeholders to take urgent action now to slash emissions and to ensure that future generations can both survive and thrive on the planet.
While commending the UN Secretary General on the urgency of WMO Early Warning for All Plan, Gomez, said stakeholders can work collaboratively to provide everyone on the globe with early warning services within the next 5 years, adding however that strong partnership is needed to for the successful implementation for the early warning for all initiative.