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UN Body Expresses Interest To Work with NiMet

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) has expressed interest to work with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

This was disclosed when a team from the UN body paid a courtesy visit to the NiMet headquarters yesterday.

Speaking on the purpose of their visit the leader of the team and Head of Office for Nigeria, Trond Jensen said he was impressed by the analysis and the work that NiMet is doing that the purpose of the visit is to continue it’s advocacy efforts to enhance the urgency, efficiency, and quality of humanitarian response in the north east states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe and that “One of the things we want to do this year together with the government Institutions that we are working with is to be better prepared for the rainy season this year”.

He noted that last year was a national disaster in terms of the extent and impact of the flooding, also in terms of the damage to infrastructure.
Mr Jensen emphasized that their desire is to work more closely with NiMet.
” We want to work more closely with you in terms of understanding what might happen this year, compared to last year and how we can work better, working with you in terms of preparedness, in terms of anticipatory action where your input is actually critical for us to understand how the inclement weather would impact on the humanitarian work”. He said.

Responding the Director General of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu observed that both organisations have a common goal and the convergence of providing early warning for all. He explained that NiMet has achieved certain level of leadership role in the continent based on the provision of climate services from co-generation to effective dissemination and getting feedbacks within the value chain.

Prof. Matazu revealed further that based on this, NiMet provides daily weather forecast to Liberia, and Sierra Leone as part of the World Meteorological Organisation VCP programme which has been on for almost seven years to date.

He disclosed that ” We are also implementing the WMO SOFF project, we are peer reviewing Liberia and Burkina Faso, Liberia we are doing that alone but with Burkina Faso we are peering with Spanish Met Service. We also want to apply for the second stage to peer review one or two other African states”. He said.
Prof. Matazu revealed that by doing some of these projects NiMet has gained experience to be able to do some of its own national mandate while partnering with some Ministries , Departments and Agencies.

Prof. Matazu said NiMet is flexible and willing to work with the UN body and assured that ” if we get details of your target location and elements of interest, we can come up with some products specifically for your usage and we can get it relayed to you electronically or we can create a segment in our App, NiMet weather App that can be downloaded from the playstore. He assured.

The team later went on tour of some NiMet facilities.

STEP commences registration of technology and energy professionals

… sets-up registration council

… as Stanley Amuchie, others join as patrons

The Society of Technology and Energy Professionals-STEP, a registered organization in Nigeria has commenced, assessment, registration, and certification of technology and energy professionals.

The president of the professional body Amb. Chimeremeze Enwere disclosed this to newsmen while presenting a distinguished patron award to Sir Stanley Amuchie , the Executive Director of Fidelity bank/ Former Chief operating officer of Zenith bank as one of their Patrons.

Enwere maintained that in order to assess, register and certify professionals as member, senior member, distinguished member, and fellow, respectively.

The Executive Board of the organization has inaugurated the Council for Registration of Technology and Energy Professionals (CORETEP) pending when their proposed bill gets to the president for approval.

The council which includes Prof Mike Onyekonwu, Engr Umar Mahmud, Dr. Iweh Idoreyin Asuquo, Prof Massambah Kah, Engr Somtochukwu Ifejika, Mr. Augustine Okoronkwo, Mr. Mustapha Dewu, Dr. Lilian Odenugo, Mrs. Ebere Madubuike and Mr. Erasmus Nnanna and others as advisers.

Enwere reiterated that for professionals to meet the global challenges facing technology and energy advancement, there is a need to prepare and certify technology and energy professionals.

Other nominated Patrons are Tony Elumelu, Aliko Dangote, Victor Sodje, Osagie Okunbo, Sam Ezugwuorie, Simbi Wabote, Philip Mshelbila, and many others.

The outcome of the board resolution has been forwarded to the three arm of Nigerian government and to the general public.

NiMet Boss Appointed Into NOSDRA Governing Board

Following the request from the Honourable Minister of Environment and subsequent approval by the Honourable Minister of Aviation, the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, ((NiMet), Prof Mansur Bako Matazu has been appointed as a member of the Governing Board of National Oil Spill Detection And Response Agency (NOSDRA).

The approval was contained in a letter to the Honourable Minister of Environment, signed on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Aviation by the Director ( Human Resource Management) of the Ministry of Aviation.

“I am directed to refer to your letter No FMENV/PRS/1782/1/18 dated 29th March 2023 on the above subject and convey the approval of the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu to serve on the Governing Board of the National Oil Spill Detection And Response Agency (NOSDRA).” The letter reads.

By this appointment, Prof. Matazu is expected to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to bear.

NiMet Organizes Refresher Training on Hydro-Meteorology

To boost professionalism and deepen the knowledge of her mandate amongst members of staff, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has commenced a refresher training of her staff on probable maximum precipitation, monitoring of flood using Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and hydrometeorological data analysis using Geographic Information System methods and product.

Explaining the importance of the exercise, the Deputy General Manager, Geographic Information System (GIS) Mr. Bankole J.A, stated that the training serves as a refresher course on hydro-meteorological products and services for both new and existing staff of the hydro-meteorological unit.

The Deputy General Manager also revealed that the training is set to enhance the mapping of flood extent, predictions and frequency as well as accurate study of damage assessment to intensify the monitoring of severe weather event and boost the early warning policy of the Agency.

Mr Bankole concluded by stating that NiMet has ensured that capacity building forms the bedrock of its core mandate and it is evident in the Director General’s policy thrust which ensures that the technical competence of every unit is maximised for the overall growth and progress of the Agency.

NiMet Conducts QMS Internal Audit In PH AIRPORT

In continuation of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet) Quality Management Systems (QMS) internal audit as a prerequisite for recertification for the International Standardization Organization (ISO), ISO 9001:2015 recertification, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has conducted the QMS internal audit process in PortHarcourt International Airport.

The process which is needed to maintain quality services, is also required when acquiring, maintaining and recertifying the ISO 9001:2015.

Areas covered include auditing data achieving processing and auditing forecasting process.

The first phase of this process covers the four major international airports, starting with Lagos, PortHarcourt, Kano and Abuja.

MRA, IPC, expresses dissatisfaction over NBC 5M imposition on Channels TV

By Emmanuel Daudu

For the umpteenth time, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has acted arbitrarily in the purported exercise of its powers as the regulatory authority for the broadcast sector in Nigeria.

According to a press release co-signed by Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and Lanre Arogundade Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC), on Tuesday stated that on March 31st, it was announced that NBC had slammed a fine of N5m on Channels Television, based on the claim that it violated the Nigeria Broadcasting Code because of the interview the station’s Seun Okinbaloye had with the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Datti Ahmed on March 22, 2023.

In the said interview Mr. Ahmed expressed strong opposition to the swearing-in of the President Elect, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, on May 29, 2023, weightily alleging that it would be tantamount to the end of democracy.

Although the NBC did not disclose the material fact in its announcement of the sanction, the regulatory body apparently acted on a widely publicised petition addressed to it by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, in which he demanded that the station be punished over the interview in question. The petition was published by many news mediums on March 30th, 2023.

Barely 24 hours later, the NBC struck. Against the well-established principle of natural justice, which, among others, make fair hearing sacrosanct, NBC did not avail Channels TV the opportunity of putting forward its defense against Mr. Onanuga’s allegations before slamming the hefty fine.

Assuming without conceding that Channels TV erred in the management of the said interview, it was still pertinent for the NBC to have heard their side of the story. In failing to do so, the NBC acted unfairly and unjustly as it based its heavy-handed decision on the claims of one side only.

NBC has in this instance again exercised quasi-judicial powers injudiciously, by constituting itself to the prosecutor and the judge over a case brought before it by a third party. In previous instances, it has also additionally been the accuser.

It must be stressed that Mr. Onanuga is not just anybody. He speaks for the in-coming president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ordinarily, this should have informed the need for the NBC to act more cautiously instead of exposing itself to the accusation that it has become the ruling government or ruling party’s willing tool to suppress press freedom.

Even if, as the NBC claims, it acted based on its own observation, it was still imperative for it to allow Channels Television to respond to the allegations, especially since that made it the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge.

We wish to reiterate that the fundamental principles that ought to guide the regulation of broadcasting and related activities are the ones that advance the public interest and are investment friendly both of which have been discarded in the handling of the petition.

We urge the NBC to desist from walking this path, which undermines its credibility and independence and weakens the broadcast sector as a result. We call on the commission to immediately reverse the hastily imposed fine and give Channels TV the deserved opportunity to defend itself.

ECOWAS assures member nations of its resolution to combat Small Arms & light weapons proliferation

By Emmanuel Daudu

…over 850 million small arms and light weapons in the hands of civilians, set to mob them out-ECOWAS

Following the increasing insecurity within the ECOWAS member nations, in an Independent Experts Meeting Study on Civilian Possession of Arms and Operational Guidelines on licensing in the ECOWAS region held in Bolton White Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday, ECOWAS assured its member nations of its resolution to fully participate in combating the proliferation of
Small Arms and Light Weapons across its member nations.

The Head of the Small Arms Division of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Joseph Ahoba made the statement while declaring the event open.

The Facilitator for the Civilian Possession of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the West African Region, Major General Shehu Usman Abdulkadiri rtd, In an exclusive interview with Africa Security Investigation news journalist just after the event was declared open stated that member nations should be ready to partner and willing to work with ECOWAS to achieve the required result especially now that ECOWAS has made it a priority.

While speaking further he has this to say,
“To curb this illicit arms proliferation, member states should also be on board to checkmate the excesses of these illicit arms coming into the sub-region to bring about peace and security. It is very much understood that without peace and security, there can never be development. Therefore, there is a need for the ECOWAS Heads of State and government to come together and put their best in their various countries to see how they can end the menace of Small Arms and Light Weapons proliferation in collaboration with ECOWAS”.

Speaking on the anticipated outcome of the program,
“Well, the anticipated result is that the ECOWAS would go back and put its House in order based on what the experts have suggested and what has come out of the report and then also escalated to the level of states and governments for implementation. Then, probably looking at legislation, the licensing regime, the regulatory aspects, and administrative control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, especially within the civilian fold. In the opening statement, it was mentioned there that over 850 million small arms and light weapons are in the hands of civilians, which is much more than what the state actors hold. So, it’s alarming that even though some of them could be legally owned, others may not. And therefore, those are the ones that should be targeted.

“Owned modality should be put in place as to regular checking of those weapons. And then also, the issue of training for the handlers or the owners of those weapons. It is setting that we will not be able to completely mob these arms out of our societies but at least we’ll reduce it to some extent.

Advising the ECOWAS member nations, Mr. Shehu suggested that all nations should embrace advocacy as it is one of the most friendly civic techniques that can generate a wide scope of results.
“Well, the first thing I will suggest is sensitization. There is a need for the populace to be aware of what the government is doing with the guise of regulation, and even the legal framework on small arms and light weapons within the various countries. If there’s enough sensitization I’m sure the civilian populace will see the danger inherent in the illegal possession of arms. And then again, the report was also very clear that in some countries, arms
exchanged, for example, if the owner dies, the children probably inherit the weapon without knowing the consequence or even what it means. Those are some of the gray areas that should be looked into. And then see how also artisanal manufacturers can be brought on board to make their practices legalized. With that, we will be making some substantial progress in that regard”, he said.

Earlier, in a keynote speech, the Deputy Director of UNREC, Dr. Jiaming Miao, lauded ECOWAS’s effort in resolving to curb the situation ravaging lots of lives and properties across its member nations stressing that collaboration should be strengthened among all stakeholders to ensure a wide range of results.
“The unregulated civilian use, possession, and production of SALW have exacerbated armed violence, insurgency, terrorism, jihadist activities and crime in the sub-region. Therefore, it is essential that we work together to address this issue.
UNREC is committed to supporting regional organizations and member states in Africa to promote disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation. We recognize the importance of working collaboratively with our partners to identify and address the root causes of arms proliferation in the region.
The study we are reviewing today, which was implemented by ECOWAS Commission and funded by Organized Crime-West Africa Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T) and the GIZ Nigeria, provides valuable insights into the current state of civilian possession of arms and related licensing in the ECOWAS region, while promoting the harmonization of the processes, methodology, and procedures for the control of possession of SALW by civilians in accordance with the ECOWAS Convention on SALW and other relevant international frameworks regulating arms possession and transfer, particularly the Arms Trade Treaty.

“The study highlights several challenges, including poor physical security and management of state stockpiles, illicit transfer of weapons to criminal and insurgent groups, unsuccessful disarmament and weapon destruction programs, weak judicial systems, unresolved conflicts, and the emerging problem of artisanal manufacture of weapons. However, the study also identifies best practices that can be adopted to address these challenges.

“I am confident that the collective review of this study and the further refinement of draft operational guidelines on licensing will contribute significantly to efforts aimed at reducing the proliferation of SALW in the ECOWAS region. UNREC remains committed to supporting regional organizations and member states in their efforts to promote disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation”, Jiaming added.

To retrospect superficially, West African Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T) support ECOWAS member states and Mauritania in reducing transnational organised crime (TOC). For this purpose, the project is strengthening national and regional structures and capacities and is fostering evidence – led policy and decision-making. Specially, we support efforts in enhancing criminal investigation and prosecution, improving small arms control and reducing human trafficking.

Similarly, the Head of ECOWAS Light Weapons Division: Controlling, Nanan Ahoba Joseph added his voice to that of others stating that there is need to control its proliferation to avoid insecurity.

OCWAR-T is an ECOWAS project, commissioned by the German government and co-founded by the EU. GIZ jointly implements OCWAR-T with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, Mines Advisory Group, MAG, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, ICMPD, Institute for Security Studies, ISS, and the Global Initiative Against Organised Crime, GITOC

NO Cause For Alarm Over Presence Of UN Fighting Vehicles, Equipment In Nigeria

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Defence Headquarters wishes to react to some social media video clips been circulated arising from the presence of some United Nations Peacekeeping fighting vehicles and equipment sighted recently in Benin, Edo state. This has resulted to insinuations which are inimical to public peace and may even cause panic.

According to Brigadier General, Tukur Gusau, Acting Director Defence Information in a press release on Tuesday said, The Defence Headquarters hereby state that presently, Nigeria is contributing troops to various United Nations Peace keeping operations, the most recent is United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), Southern Sudan. The Mission is commanded by a Nigerian, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr. It should be noted that the UN doesn’t have its own troops, rather it enter into agreement with troops contributing countries to provide their personnel and equipment for operations in its various missions.

Therefore, it is imperative to state emphatically that the military fighting vehicles and equipment painted in UN colour as sighted are being moved through the Warri port for movement to the mission area in Southern Sudan to marry up with our troops who were inducted into UNISFA mission last month.

The Defence Headquarters under the leadership of General Lucky Irabor CFR wish to assure Nigerians that our nation is not under any threat that will warrant the deployment of United Nations troops in our soil.

Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu commends Mojeed Kamar As He Bags PhD From American Varsity

Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, UNESCO Laureate and Vice Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA, has commended Barr. Mojeed B. Kamar for bagging Doctor of…

Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, UNESCO Laureate and Vice Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA, has commended Barr. Mojeed B. Kamar for bagging Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Common Law from Crown University International Chartered Inc (CUICI), USA.

This was contained in a press statement personally signed by Aremu on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Delta State by his Assistant on Media, Publicity and Communication Matters, Comrade Sir Bieni Victor Emenike.

Aremu described CUICI USA as a globally recognized private University that offers vocational training and higher education.

The statement reads in part: “As the Vice-Chancellor of Crown University International Chartered Inc CUICI, USA, I, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu use this medium to commend Barr. Mojeed B. Kamar for the highest academic feats he has attained as a PhD holder in Common Law from our global research University.

“Barr. Mojeed B. Kamar, PhD, M.A, LLB, BL, ACIS, FICPA, FIMC, CMC was born on 23rd day of May, 1968 in Lagos State. He hails from Ogun State. He commenced his Academic career with University Diploma, Zulikha Abiola College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, further his studies in Combined Law degree in Common Law and Islamic Law from the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto. He had bagged M.A in Corporate Governance with Major in Corporate Law from West Coast International University of Science, Technology, Management and Arts, PhD in Common Law from Crown University International, USA.

“In addition, he is a graduate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) London equivalent to a Masters degree in Nigeria. He started his career with a brief stint as a Legal Officer with Agip Nigeria Plc which he left to go into private practice. He was at inception the Assistant Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of Oil Gas Consult International Limited, a sister Company of Gasoline Associates Int’l Ltd (Refinery & Petrochemical) since the year 2002 and presently holding the position of ED, Legal /Company Secretary.

“Barr. Mojeed is a Member of several Professional Associations which include the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators of Nigeria, an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of UK and Nigeria (ICSAN) and the Chartered Governance Institute in London. He is a fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Administrators of England and Wales, a certified Management Consultant and a Fellow of Institute of Management Consultants in Nigeria. He is happily married with children.

“I also commend Barr. Kamar’s supervisor, Prof Abiodun Amuda Kannike, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is the current Dean of Faculty of Law at Kwara State University, who also is a member of World Grand Board of Trustees, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc. for his great efforts in making this great achievements a reality as Barr Kamar’s research work is the field of Common Law.”

NIPSS To Partner With NiMet On Research

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), has indicated interest to partner with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in the area of research.

This was disclosed by the team leader of the Senior Executive Course 45 of the institute, Dr. Emmanuel Sambo Mamman when they visited NiMet headquarters yesterday.

Dr. Emmanuel Sambo Mamman who doubles as the Institute’s librarian, highlighted the functions of the NIPSS and its activities, describing the institute as the centre for research and dialogue for academics and policymakers also added that participants are drawn from the public and private sectors of Nigeria and converge annually in order to solve problems of Nigerian society.

Dr. Mamman revealed that the Senior Executive Course programme is the flagship programme of the institute and runs for ten months.

He explained that the programme is driven by a theme given by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria every year and the theme for this year is Industrialization, Climate Change, and Energy Security in Nigeria with emphasis on Issues, Challenges, and Prospects.

On their purpose for the visit, “we are here because we think your organisation is strategic to the theme for the set of 2023”.

He said the participants are expected to conduct research and their reason for coming is to gather information for the research after which the participants will produce a final report which would be presented to the President.

In his remarks, the Director General of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu described NiMet as an extension of the University because “Our main duty is to collect, collate and produce products and services in all socio-economic sectors of Nigeria that are climate induced or influenced”.

He added that almost all the socio-economic sectors are climate-induced or influenced and this shows how relevant NiMet services are to the existence of this country adding that the agency has data dating as far back as 100 years.

Explaining further Prof. Matazu cited how the intervention of NiMet saved CBN about N120 billion because they adhered to NiMet’s weather advisory.

Part of the visit include presentations by Prof. Matazu and by the Director of Research and Training in NiMet, Prof. Effiom Essien Oku.

The highlight of the event was participants taken on a tour of NiMet facility.