Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Mansur Bako Matazu, yesterday canvassed for the adoption, implementation and utilisation of weather and climate information for national planning in order to achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative.
Matazu, who was the keynote speaker at the 61st annual conference of the Association of Nigerian Geographers held at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, noted that virtually, all NiMet’s products and services are geared towards mitigating disasters, especially the weather-induced components of it.
While speaking at the event on the theme: ‘Providing Weather and Climate Information Towards the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria’, the DG said: “NiMet’s services cut across almost all the socio-economic sectors of our economy, and are aimed at generating climate-smart decision-making process which in turn contributes to the reduction of poverty in the society.”
Matazu in a statement issued by the General Manager, Public Relations Unit, NiMet, Mr. Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, stated that: “Similarly, our range of products either directly or as inputs by other, stakeholders, example in agriculture, maritime, health, water resources, disaster management among others, if quantified in financial terms, are catalysts for socio-economic benefits.”
NiMet, he said also engaged stakeholders in the agriculture sector, adding: “A big part of the agency’s seasonal climate prediction is focused on agriculture for food security and sustainable development.
“The agency carries out downscaling activities where forecasts for the agriculture sector are cascaded to the last mile through roving seminars, workshops and field operations.”
In same vein, President of the association, Professor Adamu Tanko, pointed out that the theme of the programme: ‘Geography and the Sustainable Development Goals’, was strategically chosen as it aims to showcase the study of the environment.
Tanko added that the business of geography facilitates as well as accelerates the achievement of the SDGs in Nigeria.
