The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, has expressed its readiness to partners with the Nigerian Red Cross Society on interventions to tackle the effect of climate change in the country.
Representing the Director General /CEO, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, the Director of Applied Meteorological Services Eng. Mailadi Yusuf, disclosed when he received in audience, a delegation from the Red Cross Society of Nigeria, who were at the Agencys headquarters in Abuja to congratulate the DG/CEO, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu on his recent appointment and to strengthen the existing relationship between both organizations.
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According to the report released via the agency Twitter handle on Friday, Eng. Mailadi Yusuf in his welcome address, said that partnering with the Red Cross Society of Nigeria is a welcome development as NiMet is the Agency saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the weather and climate, and giving the government and people information and advisory on climate change.
Eng. Yusuf noted that climate change affects about two billion people in the world, impacting lives and properties.
He stressed that it is important for countries to plan and predict climate change and that it is through such predictions that NiMet is able to tell the nation what to expect.
Eng. Mailadi, expressed happiness that Red Cross is interested in partnering with NiMet, as they communicate and work with communities and can help in assessing and sensitizing the people.
He said “It has been registered that climate change affects the poor most as they are the most vulnerable, so it is always good for countries to plan ahead and this is where NiMet comes in as they advise the nation and stakeholders in advance on what to expect through the Seasonal Climate Prediction, SCP, programme.
‘The partnership is a good step in reaching the NiMets mandate, and assured the Red Cross Society of their partnership.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Head of Health and Care, Dr. Manir Jega representing the Secretary General of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Abubakar Ahmed Kende, said the purpose of the visit is to congratulate Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu on his well-deserved appointment as the DG/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and to seek partnership that will strengthen the existing relationship between the two organizations.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Red Cross is auxiliary to the government, established by the Act of the parliament called the Nigerian Red Cross Act and not an NGO, adding that Red Cross responds to man-made and natural disasters hence consume NiMet’s product directly or indirectly.