The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has commenced a five-day training workshop on numerical weather prediction (NWP) data assimilation in Abuja, starting today, Monday, July 22, 2024.
The workshop has attracted participants from Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Welcoming participants at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) headquarters, the director-general of NiMet and permanent representative of Nigeria with WMO, Professor Charles Anosike emphasised the agency’s commitment to advancing meteorological science and improving weather prediction capabilities. He stated, “Capacity building and continuous professional development are essential components of our mission. This workshop aligns perfectly with our goals, and we are delighted to host such a pivotal event.”
Anosike expressed gratitude to the WMO for their support in capacity development among National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) in West Africa. He recalled, “Around this time last year, Dr. Kyungjeen Park, a numerical weather prediction expert from the WMO, conducted training on operationalising the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model for NiMet. We are pleased to report that the model has been implemented and is now operational. We extend our thanks to the WMO and Dr. Park.”
He encouraged the participants to engage actively in the intensive training sessions, hands-on exercises, and collaborative discussions over the next few days. “I encourage you all to actively participate, learn from each other, and share experiences,” Anosike concluded.
This workshop marks a significant step in enhancing the meteorological capabilities of West African nations, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among the region’s meteorological experts.
