UNIZIK, NiMET sign MoU to build weather station

The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build a weather station at the university.

This was announced in a statement by Muntari Ibrahim, NiMet’s General Manager, Public Relations, on Friday.

The MoU was signed by the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Charles Esimone, on behalf of the institution’s governing council, while the Director General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, signed it on behalf of NiMet at their office headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

While speaking during the signing ceremony, Anosike urged the management of UNIZIK to take leadership in downscaling NiMet’s annually issued Seasonal Climate Prediction to farmers and other users in Anambra State and beyond.

According to the MoU, the collaboration to build a weather station at the university is a big achievement for NiMet, as the partnership will ensure that farmers and other users receive timely weather and climate information.

Anosike appreciated Esimone for the commitment shown in signing the MoU on behalf of UNIZIK, as it shows the importance the university attaches to weather and climate information.

Responding, Esimone thanked Anosike for the opportunity to collaborate with NiMet.

He said, “I am promising NiMet that UNIZIK will play its part in fulfilling the terms of the MoU, which is a landmark accomplishment. Not only for our local farmers, but our students, lecturers, and researchers will benefit from this relationship, especially in the areas of information on climate prediction and climate change.”

“UNIZIK will match the financial commitments of NiMet to the project by two because weather and climate information is critical to economic development.”

“We will also involve our Centre for Community Development with this project so that we can improve farmer education. NiMet should also consider training relevant UNIZIK staff to help sustain the terms of the MoU”, he noted.