The director-general of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Prof. Charles Anosike, has stated that Nigeria’s hydrological agencies utilise the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS).
According to Anosike, WIGOS can help National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) like NiMet enhance observing capabilities, achieve improved data coverage at national, regional and global scales, enhance economic efficiency and address existing data gaps.
Anosike made these remarks in Abuja on Tuesday, 28th May 2024, during the commencement of a four-day training workshop for Regional WIGOS Centres in WMO Regional Association (RA 1 – West Central Africa).
This workshop aims to equip participants with the necessary skills for WIGOS tools, particularly for the functions of Regional WIGOS Centres (RWC), enabling them to understand and fulfill their responsibilities related to RWIC functions.
He highlighted that the North, Central and West Africa region is confronted with challenges arising from diverse climatic conditions and the socio-economic impacts of extreme weather events.
Anosike emphasised the vulnerability of the region to droughts, floods and other weather-related natural disasters, underscoring the need to strengthen meteorological infrastructure and human capacity as a fundamental priority.
Anosike praised the WMO Regional Office for North, Central, and West Africa for its ongoing assistance in capacity development across Africa and highlighted the opportunities accessible to NMHSs in the region.
The workshop, attended by participants from various African countries, including the WMO Representative for North, Central and West Africa, Mr. Bernard Gomez concluded on Friday, May 31, 2024.
