NiMet’s Prof. Anosike Advocates Proactive Flood Preparedness at AATF Meeting

The NiMet Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike, engaged in the AATF meeting on March 18, 2025, hosted by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The discussion focused on transforming Nigeria’s flood response from reactive to proactive measures, aligning with global disaster risk reduction frameworks. Key strategies were proposed to improve forecasting capabilities and enhance community protection against flooding.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, attended the Anticipatory Action Task Force on Floods (AATF) meeting on March 18, 2025. This gathering, hosted by Vice President Kashim Shettima, aimed to transition Nigeria’s approach to flood management from reactive responses to proactive preparedness. The meeting underscored the importance of alignment with global initiatives such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on minimizing disaster impacts and protecting vulnerable populations.

During the proceedings, AATF members provided updates on their agencies’ readiness and ongoing initiatives to combat flooding across Nigeria. Vice President Shettima expressed alarm regarding the escalating human toll and economic losses attributed to flooding in the nation. He emphasized the need for immediate preventive measures, calling for the application of science, technology, and collaborative efforts to protect communities and livelihoods from looming disasters.

Professor Anosike lauded Vice President Shettima’s proactive approach towards anticipatory action, noting it is vital for effective disaster preparedness and response. He articulated NiMet’s responsibility in delivering impact-based forecasts that facilitate early warnings and prompt responses prior to extreme weather incidents. Furthermore, he indicated that combining NiMet’s forecasts with other warning systems could greatly improve risk awareness and operational response.

Additionally, Professor Anosike delineated key priority areas to bolster NiMet’s forecasting abilities. This includes enhancing weather modeling, investing in advanced forecasting technologies, expanding observational networks, improving data collection methodologies, and employing machine learning techniques to refine prediction accuracy.

In summary, the AATF meeting highlighted the urgent need to shift Nigeria’s flood response paradigm towards proactive preparedness. With contributions from key stakeholders like the NiMet, and under the leadership of Vice President Shettima, the country aims to minimize the devastating effects of flooding through enhanced forecasting and increased collaboration. The outlined strategies signal a commitment to safeguard communities from the effects of climate-related disasters.

Original Source: sciencenigeria.com