Anuforom, NiMet Boss Urges Concerted Effort Check Disasters

Dr. Anthony Anuforom, director general, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that application of scientific knowledge and collaborative efforts among individual institutions and organisations are some options that can be employed to minimise the impact of natural disasters.

This observation is contained in an address he delivered at the 2013 international conference of the Nigerian Meteorological Society (NMetS) in Abuja.

Dr. Anuforom who acknowledged the increased intensity of occurrence of disasters also noted that there is no known technology to arrest the forces of climate disaster: “Climate change and the associated extreme weather are global phenomena, which now occur with increasing frequency and intensity”.  He added that disaster is global and may affect any country irrespective of their technological might.

While expressing delight in NiMet’s rebranding focus of Commercialization, Realignment and Consolidation which has led to improved meteorological infrastructures, Dr. Anuforom declared that the federal government’s transformation agenda is yielding tangible benefits for NiMet and for Nigeria.

Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Abiodun Adeloye, president of NMetS, emphasized the timeliness of the conference as it coincides with the presentation in Stockholm by scientists of the dangers of global warming and how the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation have now led to warming of the entire globe.

He expressed the hope that the report would be used by policy makers to guide vital decisions on climate issues.  

The theme of the conference this year is ‘Global Climate Change: Lamentations and Leverages’. The high point of the conference was the conferment of Fellow of NMetS on four distinguished members including Chief Theodeaus Obidike and Mrs Modupe Ogunwale, both former directors of NiMet.

Other recipients are Prof. Z. D. Adeyewa, Vice Chancellor, Redeemers University and Dr. E. E. Ekuwem, MD/ CEO Teledom Int. Nigeria limited.