By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) are set to partner on climate action initiatives including setting up an experimental farm and weather station. Both organizations will also explore partnership opportunities in other mutually beneficial areas.
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike disclosed this at a meeting with the Acting Vice Chancellor of COOU, Prof. Kate Omenugha on Wednesday, 26th June, 2024.
'I commend Prof. Omenugha for birthing the vision for the university to embark on a tree planting campaign. There is a lot that NiMet and COOU can do together. We will explore ways of providing climate and weather information to the local communities around the university, and also our daily early warnings alerts. We will also explore collaboration in dual certifications between COOU and NiMet’s two institutions-RTC Oshodi and MBMIST Katsina.'
Prof. Omenugha had earlier briefed the NiMet DG/CEO of the university’s 2024 Tree Planting and Climate Action Summit scheduled for Wednesday, 17th July, 2024, with Professor Anosike billed as the lead discussant.
The Acting COOU Vice Chancellor thanked Professor Anosike for his kind words and said that she was inspired to embark on the tree planting campaign after experiencing first hand the devastating effects of climate change shortly after she was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor.
'Heavy windstorm blew away the roofs of sixteen buildings in our university. This challenged us to think of creative and climate smart ways of mitigating future devastation. We have a five-year roadmap on climate action which we see as a crusade - ‘One staff one tree, one student one tree’ initiative. We are excited at the opportunity of partnering NiMet,'Prof. Omenugha concluded.
