Prof. Charles Anosike, the Director-General/CEO of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has been honoured with Changemaker Climate Leadership Award at the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards on the 3rd November 2026 at Habout point, Victoria Island,Lagos

The award recognises Professor Anosike’s leadership in advancing meteorological development, institutional reforms and the application of weather and climate information to national development. It also acknowledges his efforts in repositioning NiMet as a more technologically driven, responsive and service-oriented institution, with enhanced capacity to provide weather and climate intelligence that supports economic activities, protects lives and strengthens national resilience.

Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in December 2023, Professor Anosike has pursued a reform agenda focused on strengthening the Agency’s scientific capabilities, modernising its operations and ensuring that meteorological information translates into measurable public value. His leadership has reinforced the strategic importance of meteorology to critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, particularly aviation, agriculture, disaster risk management and climate adaptation.

His leadership has also positioned NiMet to play a more active role in the global conversation on climate resilience, early warning systems, sustainable investment and the application of science to development. These efforts align with the growing recognition that timely and reliable weather and climate information is essential to reducing disaster risks, protecting livelihoods and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The Changemaker Climate Leadership Award, presented during the centenary celebration of The Daily Times of Nigeria, is a recognition of Professor Anosike’s leadership and the institutional progress recorded under his stewardship. It underscores the importance of strong meteorological institutions in addressing the challenges of climate variability and change, strengthening national preparedness and supporting informed decision-making across all sectors.

For NiMet, the recognition reinforces the Agency’s commitment to delivering timely, accurate and reliable weather and climate information in support of national safety, economic productivity and sustainable development.

Under Professor Anosike’s leadership, the Agency continues to advance meteorological services beyond forecasting atmospheric conditions to providing actionable intelligence that safeguards lives, supports livelihoods and contributes meaningfully to national development.

The North-West Zonal Organising Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Aliyu M. Tukur Gantsa, says top politicians in the region have given up their political independence to President Bola Tinubu.

He accused them of doing so for personal survival and selfish interests.

Gantsa said the North-West has lost its political voice and bargaining power, adding that many influential politicians now care more about getting favours from the Federal Government than defending their people.

He spoke to journalists in Sokoto ahead of the ADC presidential campaign flag-off for the 2027 elections. He called the situation a betrayal of democratic principles.

He said politics in the region has been reduced to personal survival, defections and political calculations. In his view, ideology and issue-based programmes have been left behind.
Gantsa named several former governors he accused of aligning with Tinubu. From Jigawa, he listed Ali Sa’ad, Saminu Turaki, Sule Lamido and Badaru Abubakar. From Kano, he named Ibrahim Shekarau, Kabiru Gaya, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Abdullahi Ganduje. From Katsina, he named Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Shema.
He also listed former Sokoto governors Attahiru Bafarawa and Aliyu Wamakko. From Kebbi, he named former governors Usman Dakingari and Adamu Aliero, along with the current governor, Nasir Idris.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) have strengthened their commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls in Nigeria, with a renewed focus on tackling gender-based violence and the rising incidence of femicide across Africa.

The commitment was reaffirmed during an advocacy visit by Hon. Commissioner Janet Ramathulai Sallah-Njie, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, to the NHRC headquarters in Abuja, where she met with the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN.

The engagement focused on strengthening institutional collaboration, addressing violence against women and girls, improving access to justice for victims, and ensuring that regional human rights commitments translate into tangible results at the national level.

Both institutions expressed concern over the growing incidence of femicide and gender-based violence across Africa, stressing the need for decisive national action, effective legal accountability and community-based protection mechanisms to safeguard women and girls.

During the meeting, Commissioner Sallah-Njie urged Nigeria to take a leading role in promoting the swift ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, adopted in February 2025.

She noted the importance of building on the gains of the Maputo Protocol by strengthening regional and national frameworks designed to eliminate violence against women and ensure the protection of their fundamental rights.

In his remarks, Ojukwu emphasised that regional human rights standards must translate into concrete action and justice for victims within individual countries.

He highlighted institutional reforms introduced by the NHRC to improve its response to human rights violations, including the establishment of a dedicated Department of Women and Children.

The Executive Secretary also pointed to the Commission’s enhanced digital platforms, which are designed to simplify access to justice and make it easier for victims of human rights violations to seek assistance and report abuses.

On women’s participation in governance, the NHRC reiterated its support for the proposed Special Seats Bill for Women, describing increased representation in legislative institutions as an important step towards addressing the gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political system.

The proposed legislation is aimed at expanding opportunities for women to participate in decision-making and contribute more effectively to national development.

The collaboration between the NHRC and ACHPR is expected to strengthen advocacy, promote accountability and encourage the implementation of policies and legal frameworks that protect women and girls from violence, discrimination and other human rights violations.

The NHRC reaffirmed its commitment to working with government institutions, civil society organisations and international human rights mechanisms to advance gender equality, uphold human dignity and ensure the safety of women and girls across Nigeria.