Stakeholders at a media dialogue have urged journalist to make weather reporting an integral part of daily news reportage to keep the public abreast of weather phenomenon.
The charge was made at Media Dialogue with the theme “Weather and Climate Reporting for Safety of Lives”, organized by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET in partnership with First Green White Resources and Integrated Services in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Director General/CEO of NiMET, Professor Charles Anosike lauded the initiative as it presents a platform that bridges the gap between NiMET, the journalist and the public.
“This dialogue is meant to update you on the measures NiMet has taken, especially by employing management to provide best quality service in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I encourage you to engage actively. Ask questions and share ideas as we work towards a common goal. A Nigeria that is better informed, better prepared and more resilient in the face of climate and extreme weather event.” He said
Prof. Anosike also noted the role of the media saying “the success of NiMET’s mission does not rest solely on the accuracy of our scientific data and forecast, it equally depends on the effective communication and dissemination of this information to the public which is where you the media and civil society groups play an indispensable role.”
The facilitator of the workshop, Mr. Bonaventure Melah said the aim of the dialogue was to explore ways through which journalist can enhance timely, quality, accurate and impactful information on weather and climate reporting, to ensure that the public is informed and take action.
Mr. Melah said “to improve weather communication strategies, enhance data interpretation, and foster collaboration between experts at NiMET and journalist, the media needs to be properly trained on the operations and terminology of weather and climate reporting to ensure effective reportage”.
A former Executive Director with Voice of Nigeria and one of the resource persons, Mr. Ahaziah Suleman recommended that weather reporting become an integral part of daily reportage to give guidance to end users.
Mr. Suleman also implored NiMET to work with Telecom Providers to provide timely weather emergency alerts that appear on the cell phone of telecom users.
“NiMET should contact either NBC or NCC that such a thing as public service, should incorporate it into our cell phones. All active phones should have weather report. You don’t need to download any software and once there is something that is about to happen let’s have early warning signals on our phone.” He said
Similarly, the Director General/Coordinator Seasonal Prediction 2025, Mr. Haruna Zakari stated that NiMET produces the seasonal documentation at the national and local levels and require the partnership of the media to get the information contained in it to the grassroot.
“We need all hands to be on deck to get this message to the grassroot. We need your support in this, particularly in the areas of dissemination so that like the initiative from UN it will be able to get to everybody. If not 100%, at least 80-90%.” He said
Mr. Zakari enjoined journalist to learn how to properly interpret weather predictions into simple languages easily understandable by the end users.
Several other directors from the relevant departments at NiMet took turns to explain the processes and essence of Nimets SCP, daily forecast and other products and their uses in saving lives, properties and resources.
Olusola Akintonde