The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, Prof. Charles Anosike has hailed Nigerian journalists for their role in disseminating information on weather and climate to the public, adding that the media is a critical stakeholder in the work of the agency.

Speaking at a one-day media dialogue with the theme, “Climate and Weather Reporting For Safety of Lives” which held in Abuja on Tuesday, Anosike commended the media for reporting accurately on the nation’s weather forecasts and conditions based on data from NiMet, and charged newsmen and women on timely reports which he said was necessary to avert hazards associated with weather and climate, adding that “NiMet’s role is critical in safeguarding lives and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.”

He said- “Our weather forecasts and early warnings enhance disaster preparedness, guide farming and food production, and help pilots avoid hazardous conditions.”

He stressed on the importance of the dialogue, stating that it was aimed at empowering the media and civil society organizations with the knowledge and tools necessary to carry out their vital roles more effectively.

Commenting further on the critical role of the media, he said, “The management of NiMet recognizes the importance and strategic role of the media that the success of NiMet’s mission does not rest solely on the accuracy of our scientific data and forecasts. It equally depends on the effective communication and dissemination of this information to the public, which is where you—the media and civil society groups—play an indispensable role.

The DG further highlighted the effort of NiMET in providing quality service, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.

“Worthy of mention here, is that, within the last one year alone, we have sponsored staff to different categories of trainings within and outside the country. The above is in addition to taking necessary steps to address issues bothering on staff welfare, including the facilitation of the payment of outstanding salaries and other staff claims and benefits inherited by our management,” he said.

Earlier in his opening remark, the facilitator of the media dialogue, Mr. Bonaventure Phillips Melah, CEO of First Green White Resources and Integrated Services said the theme of the dialogue was apt considering the trend of climate change.

He said- ”The theme today is weather and climate reporting; and I consider the topic as very crucial because weather and climate have direct impact on our everyday lives.

“Because the media plays a vital role in informing the public about these critical issues, this dialogue was therefore organized in recognition of the responsibility that rests on our shoulders with regards to the safety of lives and by extension, the overall wellbeing of humanity.”

He charged participating journalists to ask questions where necessary in order to understand the technicality of weather reporting and to communicate NiMET’s predictions and reports accurately to the general public.

Melah also commented the DG of NiMET and the management for considering the media and civil society organizations as critical stakeholders.

Other speakers at the event spoke on the need for continuous media partnership in ensuring accurate and timely response to weather reports.

Resource persons who engaged participants on various topics in Mr. Ahaziah Suleiman, a former Executive Director at the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Professor Vincent Weli and Dr. Wasiu Ibrahim of the Directorate of Weather Forecasting Services (NiMet), Mrs. Glory Onyegbule, NiMet Director, Applied Meteorological Services, Dr. James Ijampy (AGM AGRO-MET) and Haruna Zakari- Technical Asst 1 to the DG/Coordinator SCP 2025.