The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, has promised to set up an Observatory Garden within the premises of Ondo State Environmental Protection Agency, ODSEPA in Akure to help the agency access privilege information and data on weather and climate change in order to perform its environmental watchdog functions effectively.
Head of NiMET office in Ondo state, Inspector Olatunde Adejuwon made the promise during a familiarization visit to the agency by the management of ODSEPA led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Hon Oyeniyi Oseni to his office at the Federal Secretariat Igbatoro, Akure.
According to Inspector Adejuwon the new NiMET Observatory Weather Garden when operational will be the first to be sited in any agency of the state government outside the one in Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA and Federal College of Agriculture, FECA
He said NiMET as a professional agency is saddled with very strategic functions of providing up to date weather and climate change information for all sectors such as aviation, aerodromes, farmers, civil engineers, scientists, researchers, students economists to make informed decisions.
Inspector Adejuwon noted that in addition to the NIMET operational base at the Akure Airport which operates throughout the year, the agency also has two weather and climate change management gardens in Ondo town and Aiyetoro Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the State, providing hydrological services for those in maritime business.
Earlier the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment Hon Oseni had said the essence of the visit was to explore areas of synergy between the agency and the ODSEPA for excellent performance in its Environmental Protection assignment.
Hon Oseni who described NIMET as a very strategic agency said the enormity of ODSEPA’S job now that the rainy season is about to commence, the agency needs the assistance of NiMET as a strategic partner in areas of privilege information and data sharing especially in preparing people for any eventuality.
While underscoring the strong connection between weather forecasting and climate change, Hon Oseni who was a consultant in environmental sector before taking up the political appointment said NiMET and ODSEPA have a lot in common in protecting the ecosystem and achieve green environmental policy of governments at all levels.
The Special Adviser who used the occasion to appreciate Ondo State Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN for resuscitating ODSEPA after many years in comatose said the restoration of the environmental watchdog further lays credence to the premium the state government places on issues surrounding green environment and climate change.
Prince Bolu Diesel AJIJO
Director of Information,
11th March, 2022