The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a weather station at the university.
According to a statement from NiMet’s General Manager of Public Relations, Muntari Ibrahim, on Friday, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalized. The Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Charles Esimone, represented the university’s governing council in signing the MoU, while NiMet’s DG, Charles Anosike, signed on behalf of NiMet. The ceremony took place at NiMet’s office headquarters in Abuja.
During the signing, Anosike encouraged UNIZIK’s management to play a leading role in disseminating NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction to farmers and other stakeholders in Anambra state and beyond.
Outlined in the MoU is a significant achievement for NiMet, as the collaborative effort involves constructing a weather station at the university. This partnership is expected to ensure timely dissemination of weather and climate information to farmers and various users.
Anosike expressed gratitude to Esimone for the dedicated commitment demonstrated in signing the MoU on behalf of UNIZIK, emphasizing the significance the university places on weather and climate information.
In response, Esimone conveyed appreciation to Anosike for the opportunity to engage in collaboration with NiMet.
He said, “I am promising NiMet that UNIZIK will play its part in fulfilling the terms of the MoU which is a landmark accomplishment. Not only for our local farmers, but our students, lecturers and researchers will benefit from this relationship, especially in the areas of information on climate prediction and climate change”.
“UNIZIK will match the financial commitments of NiMet to the project by two because weather and climate information is critical to economic development.”
“We will also involve our Centre for Community Development with this project so that we can improve farmer education. NiMet should also consider training relevant UNIZIK staff to help sustain the terms of the MoU”, he noted.