The PRESASS workshop on seasonal forecasts stressing on Climate Resilience for West Africa’s rainy season ended in Abuja on Friday, 26th April 2024. It ended with a call to action from Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Keyamo stressed translating workshop outcomes into tangible benefits for West Africa and Sahel’s local communities. He urged utilizing PRESASS insights for local action.
“The forum’s outcomes are vital planning tools,” Keyamo emphasized, underscoring climate change, extreme weather, and food security challenges. He emphasized the necessity of accurate and timely weather and climate information for effective decision-making.
The Nigerian government, via agencies like NiMet and NIHSA, backs initiatives like PRESASS to boost regional collaboration and climate resilience.
Professor Charles Anosike of NiMet praised AGRHYMET and ACMAD for their enduring dedication to regional climate outlooks since 1998.He praised the successful organization of this year’s forum.
Rowland Abah, representing the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) for North, Central, and West Africa, underscored the significance of localized forecasts in mitigating climate-related hazards. He emphasized that such initiatives align with global efforts to implement comprehensive Early Warning Systems by 2027.
Mr. Clement Nze, NIHSA Director General, and other agency representatives joined the closing ceremony, emphasizing PRESASS’s collaborative spirit.
The forum, which hosted participants from 16 West African countries, focused on forecasting the 2024 rainy season. Keyamo’s call to action resonated throughout the event, urging stakeholders to prioritize community-level interventions based on the workshop’s insights.
Keyamo’s closing message encapsulated the urgency of translating global climate insights into grassroots action. PRESASS succeeds regionally and brings tangible benefits to frontline communities facing climate change in West Africa and the Sahel.
