Professor Anosike expressed gratitude to the Board of Editors for the recognition, affirming that the award serves as motivation to further NiMet’s mission.

BY ANTHONY OMOH

Professor Charles Anosike, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has been named Aviation Sector CEO of the Year by Independent Newspapers Limited. The Board of Editors selected him for his proactive leadership and NiMet’s significant contributions to various socio-economic sectors through impactful collaborations with local and international institutions.  

During the official presentation of the nomination letter at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja, Mr. Steve Omanufeme, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, highlighted Anosike’s transformative leadership. He commended NiMet’s role in providing critical meteorological services, particularly in early warnings that mitigate the risks of climate-related disasters such as flooding, which often leads to loss of lives and farmlands.  

The letter of nomination also acknowledged NiMet’s key partnerships, including its collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to improve responses to climate-sensitive diseases like malaria and cholera. By integrating meteorological data with disease monitoring, NiMet has enhanced predictive models and risk assessments, ensuring better public health outcomes. Additionally, the agency successfully facilitated the re-accreditation of its Regional Training School in Oshodi, Lagos, following a rigorous assessment by a delegation from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva, Switzerland.  

In response, Professor Anosike expressed gratitude to the Board of Editors for the recognition, affirming that the award serves as motivation to further NiMet’s mission. He emphasized his commitment to strengthening the agency’s impact and fulfilling its legal mandate in alignment with national and global meteorological standards. Anosike also extended his appreciation to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, for his leadership and unwavering support. He dedicated the award to NiMet’s dedicated staff, acknowledging their role in the agency’s continued success.  

The official investiture ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM, at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.