By Dr. Uche Nworah
Industry stakeholders view leadership excellence at NiMet under Prof. Charles Anosike as a remarkable example of dedicated governance. Before his appointment as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Anosike served as Director of the Directorate of Applied Meteorological Services (DAMS), a critical unit in the agency.
Asked what he would like to be remembered by when he completes his tenure, Prof. Anosike said; “I need to ensure that I create value in NiMet. Value comes in different forms. The use of meteorological data to improve our livelihood, improve the accuracy of our predictions, and ensure efficient and effective dissemination of climate information. When people get timely weather information, understand and can use it effectively to improve planning and make climate-smart decisions as a result, that creates sustainable value. Staff welfare is fundamental. In the end, NiMet meteorologists and other staff will be able to say that this DG/CEO brought this idea, and, in that period, we were vibrant and were better off. These and more are what I want to be remembered for”.
Also asked what the issues that need to be addressed at NiMet are, Professor Anosike said that he likes to focus on opportunities, not challenges. “I think that one of the lowest hanging fruits for me is to reach out to the private sector for their support and for their participation in what we do so that they can begin to see the value in what NiMet does”. Professor Anosike has done very well in this regard.
In line with the performance bond signed with Chief Executive Officers and Directors of parastatals by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Professor Anosike, and the management team have done so much to operationalize the 5-point agenda of the Ministry under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Festus Keyamo SAN.
Achievements That Embody Leadership Excellence at NiMet
In 2024, Prof. Anosike oversaw rigorous metadata exercises, ensuring weather observation stations were fully operational nationwide. For the first time, NiMet attracted partnerships such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and secured MOUs with entities like the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The 2nd Roundtable Meeting on ‘Anticipatory Action Framework for Nigeria,’ hosted by NiMet, reflects its growing relevance in climate-focused initiatives The Roundtable meeting which would be expanded was convened by the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). Similarly, joint efforts with the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) emphasize leadership excellence at NiMet in fostering international collaborations.
NiMet and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa – MOWCA, have agreed on joint action to promote maritime weather observation, early warnings, and capacity building (focusing on Marine Meteorology) for MOWCA member states.
Hitherto, NiMet staff had long complained of a lack of training opportunities. In the last year, all cadres of staff have benefited from the renewed drive by management to prioritize human capacity development in the agency.
NiMet organized a week-long training for its State Meteorological Managers (SMMs). The agency also organized a training session on the ‘Balanced Scorecard Performance Management System’ for the Directors and senior management staff of the agency. The board of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has granted the National Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology (NMIST), an institution belonging to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), recognition to operate as a mono-technic institution. The Board also granted the institution approval to commence National Diploma (Meteorology), and National Diploma (Climate Change Sciences) programmes at its Oshodi, Lagos, location.
Industrial harmony has returned to NiMet as the unions now have confidence in the management and trust its labour-friendly policies. Through constructive stakeholder engagement which has become the hallmark of Prof. Anosike’s people-friendly leadership style at NiMet, a planned industrial action scheduled to begin on Monday, 20th May 2024 over the non-payment of outstanding 45-month minimum wage arrears dating back to 2019 owed to staff of the agency by the federal government was averted the payment has now been made.
NiMet under Professor Anosike has witnessed the introduction of technological innovations in its operations. Computer hardware and software and other meteorological equipment are being bought newly or repaired to enable staff to carry out their functions effectively.
The ICT unit has successfully restored NiMet Data Centre to near-optimal performance and has also successfully carried out the integration and completion of Climsoft, a climate management system. The agency has also launched a brand-new interactive website with many features. Its social media pages are now very active and are regularly updated with current weather and climate information filled with creative weather graphics and animations.
A brand-new digital weather studio with improved graphics and animation capabilities that compare with what is obtainable abroad has been launched. Combined with the newly introduced NiMet-branded jackets and clothing for weather presenters, Nigerians, and other publics are in for a whole new weather viewing experience.
On Anticipatory Action Framework For Nigeria’, in Abuja on Thursday, 28th November 2024.
Professor Anosike and his team have revamped the agency’s flagship annual event – The Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), the annual event where the agency releases weather and climate predictions for the year. With renewed partnerships and support, NiMet will be able to do more in the area of downscaling the SCP to communities nationwide. This is an agenda Professor Anosike is very passionate about.
Aviation safety has also been prioritized under Prof. Anosike at NiMet. Through the Quality Management System Unit in the office of the DG/CEO, a lot has been achieved by way of training, re-training, and certifications.
Under Prof. Anosike, the data archive center has been renovated and equipped as part of management’s data rescue project. The Management has reactivated the moribund carpentry workshop at the Agency’s Regional Training Center (RTC), in Oshodi, Lagos. The workshop produces furniture and woodwork for the Agency’s use. It also accepts orders from external clients for customized carpentry and furniture works.
Outlook for the Future
Prof. Anosike remains committed to enhancing NiMet’s infrastructure, weather modeling capabilities, and public-private partnerships. “There will be considerable focus on improving NiMet’s monitoring and observation infrastructure and better information sharing. We will improve early warnings using artificial intelligence and big data,” he affirmed, demonstrating his dedication to sustained leadership excellence at NiMet.
For these and several other achievements so far recorded as the DG/CEO of NiMet since the assumption of duty, it is deserving to say kudos to Professor Anosike. As he continues to navigate the affairs at NiMet as DG/CEO, the expectation is that the management, staff of NiMet, and relevant stakeholders will continue to support the agency so that the agency will continue to achieve its mandate of observing, analyzing, timely and accurate reporting of weather and climate information for socio-economic development and safety of lives and property.
Nworah, a climate change enthusiast wrote from Abuja.
