NiMet, NAPTIP Strengthen Collaboration to Combat Climate Change

By Margaret Ebeshi

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating on mitigating the effects of climate change, which has triggered extreme weather events and disrupted lives.

This pledge was central to discussions during a courtesy visit by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Prof. Charles Anosike, to the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta L. Adamu Bello, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Prof. Anosike congratulated the NAPTIP DG on her appointment.

“It is important to have a leader who has a listening ear to understand the impact of climate change. Climate change affects all aspects of our lives.

“We are seeing the increasing effect of extreme weather events and the impact of climate change. When climate disaster strikes, it dislocates people and throws them into poverty. People are made to migrate. It is important for us to invest in preparedness to ensure everyone is protected by early warnings of climate disaster,” he said.

The NiMET DG stated that climate change is linked to human trafficking, stressing the importance of partnering with NAPTIP. He noted that while extreme weather can’t be stopped, early warnings can reduce impacts, especially for vulnerable groups like the young, women, and the elderly.

Prof. Anosike noted that strengthened relationship with NAPTIP will lead to agencies properly advising policymakers on the appropriate response.

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“The flooding we are experiencing in the Northeast is also going to come down to the Southwest and to the Southeast. We will partner and ensure that the government at all levels adequately responds to reduce the impact of extreme weather event,” he said.

Responding, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta L. Adamu Bello said that her vision at the agency is to find ways of not only preventing human trafficking but eradicating it.

“My target as the Director General is to eradicate human trafficking in Nigeria in line with the determination of the present administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCON. 

“I am worried because the issues of human trafficking have become a national concern bearing in mind the huge numbers of victims from all States within the Country,” NAPTIP DG said.

She welcomed the partnership idea with NiMet and the state governments. She emphasised the need for collaboration in finding a lasting solution to the menace, stating that it is important to increase partnerships and enhance advocacy efforts across all parts of the country to reduce vulnerability.