Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, made the call on Monday in Abuja, at the opening of a three-day Expert Workshop on Early Warning For All, National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategic and Action Plan 2023-2030.

Anosike was represented by Prof. Vincent Weli, Director of Weather Forecasting Services, at the workshop organised by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

“Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can strike at any moment, leaving devastating impacts on communities and livelihoods. Early warning systems are the first line of defence against disasters.

“They provide critical seconds, minutes, or hours for people to seek safety, evacuate, or take necessary precautions.

“However, an early warning is only effective if it reaches all those at risk. In Nigeria, we face various hazards, from floods to landslides, droughts, and conflicts.

“The impact of these disasters can be catastrophic, but we can mitigate them through proactive and inclusive approaches.

“That’s why we must prioritise early warning for all. We need to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location, language, or socio-economic status, receives timely and accurate warnings,” he said.

Anosike said that to achieve that, Nigeria must invest in robust early warning systems that leveraged technology and community networks and strengthen emergency response capabilities.

He stressed the need to conduct regulatory and public awareness campaigns, foster collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, and support disaster risk reduction education in schools and communities.

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He listed some critical roles played by the agency in early warning for all initiatives in Nigeria, including provision of accurate and timely weather forecasts, warnings, and advancements to help predict and prepare for extreme weather events.

Others, he said included data dissemination, training stakeholders on early warning systems and weather forecasting, climate monitoring, as well as conducting research to improve weather forecasting and early warning systems.

“In public education, we educate the public on weather-related hazards and promote awareness on early warning systems.

“We also collaborate with partners and other agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to early warning systems,” he said.

Anosike called on all stakeholders working on disaster management to work together for better results in disaster mitigation and prevention.

“By working together, we can build a culture of resilience and reduce the risk of disasters in Nigeria.

“Let us commit to protecting our people, our communities, and our nation,” he said.

On his part, Umar Mohammed, the Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, stressed the need for the workshop stakeholders to disseminate information from the workshop to stakeholders at the grassroots.

Mohammed, represented by a Director of Engineering Department, Mrs Fashe-Adam Fransisca, said the problem with disaster management in the country was not a lack of data or early warning but failure of people to take to warning.

“NIHSA is doing her job. Other organisations are doing their jobs to warn our people. But we don’t take to warning. We wait until disaster happens, and then everybody runs out of water.

“So with this programme, I hope that we’ll be able to sensitise our people more, especially those at the community level.”

He also stressed the need to teach people how to adapt and build resilience to natural disasters that could not be prevented.

Source: NAN

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This year’s programme, a 35 per cent increase from the previous year, welcomed eight professors, four senior lecturers, and 15 other participants.

Held at the company’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the induction ceremony marked the beginning of a one-year programme focused on knowledge exchange and skill development.

Drawn from 13 Nigerian universities, these participants will gain valuable industry experience in fields like biodiversity, petroleum engineering, and environmental impact assessment.

“The research and internship programmes are central to our commitment to supporting higher education in Nigeria,” explained Shell Nigeria’s Head of Corporate Relations, and SPDC Director, Mr. Igo Weli.

He described the programme as mutually beneficial nature by offering Shell access to specialised expertise from professors and lecturers, who in turn acquire practical industry knowledge and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.

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Despite operational challenges, Mr. Weli reaffirmed Shell’s position as the industry leader in fostering a positive learning environment and empowering people.

Representing the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Mrs. Bunmi Edith Lawson echoed Mr. Weli’s sentiments.

She highlighted the programme’s significance in scientific exploration, environmental stewardship, and knowledge advancement.

“This is an investment in the next generation of innovators,” she stated, “and a way for us to give back to our stakeholders.”

The 2024 programme includes participants from a diverse range of universities across Nigeria, including the University of Benin, Rivers State University, University of Ibadan, Niger Delta University, and Ahmadu Bello University.

Others are Bingham University Karu, Federal University Wukari, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Covenant University, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, University of Uyo, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture.

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SPDC Director and Head of Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, made the restatement in Port Harcourt on Friday at a dinner to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Treasure FM, a member of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, network.

“Our commitment stretches back to the 1950s, with a wide range of programmes supporting education, infrastructure, community electrification, and business empowerment,” Weli said.

A key highlight of the anniversary dinner was the presentation of the FRCN Award for Consistent Media Partner to Shell companies in Nigeria.

Weli, who was represented by the Shell spokesman, Michael Adande, said, “This award serves as a strong reminder that Shell’s dedication to the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region remains a cornerstone of our presence in Nigeria.”

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The award recognises Shell’s partnership with FRCN, particularly its support for the weekly live programme Canvas: Niger Delta Roundtable, which fosters crucial discussions on development issues impacting the region.

“While the award itself was unexpected, it reinforces the value of initiatives like Canvas,” Weli added. “This recognition motivates us to keep promoting development, not just in our operational areas but across the entire nation.”

Since 2017, Canvas: Niger Delta Roundtable, has aired twice weekly on different radio stations in the Niger Delta with live online streaming.

These broadcasts dedicate an hour to exploring topics relevant to the development of the region and its people.

The General Manager, FRCN Treasure FM Port Harcourt, Fred Onyeka Nwaulune, commended Shell’s partnership.

“Shell has been a reliable media partner, consistently educating the Niger Delta region on the importance of dialogue for development and peaceful solutions,” he said. “Their programme aligns perfectly with FRCN’s focus on sustainable development.”

He noted that through the dialogue radio programme, Shell had demonstrated a continued focus on driving progress and positive change in the Niger Delta and beyond.

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Mr Igo Weli, Head, Corporate Relations, SPDC, stated this at the ongoing Quality Improvement Training for health care professionals from selected public hospitals on Friday in Yenagoa.

The training involved health care professionals from certain public hospitals in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers.

The oil firm donated two ambulances and solar powered vaccine freezers to Edagbebiri Cottage Hospital, Rivers, and Otuasega Cottage Hospital, Bayelsa.

The ambulances are equipped with mini-intensive care units.

Weli was represented on the occasion by Mr Amaechi Ijeoma, Corporate Relations Manager (West) SPDC.

He said that the company and its joint venture partners had supported more than 27 public health facilities across the Niger Delta.

Weli stated that the support was in the areas of infrastructure upgrade, health systems strengthening, equipment, supplies and capacity building.

“As a company, SPDC understands the role of quality health care service in improving overall health outcome and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Hence, as part of the organisation’s commitment to its host communities, we started the quality improvement journey across all the supported health facilities,” Weli said.

According to him, health improvement in health care facility requires systemic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement, in the degree of which the health care delivered reflected professional knowledge and standards.

Prof. Dimie Ogoina, Chief Medical Director, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, NDUTH, stated that the quality improvement scheme at NDUTH had pushed up performance from 24 per cent in 2014 to 57 per cent in 2018.

Ogoina, who is a resource person at the training, said that the teaching hospital was aiming at being the first public hospital to get international certification for quality improvement in Nigeria.

Presenting the ambulances and vaccine storage freezers, Group General Manager of NAPIMS, the investment arm of NNPC Ltd, Mr Bala Wunti, stated that the gesture would bring the benefits of oil exploration to Nigerians.

Wunti was represented at the event by Mrs Bumi Lawson, a Director at NAPIM.

He urged the management of the benefiting health facilities to deploy the items judiciously in a responsible manner.

Responding, Dr. Ajoebi Oluwalobi, Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa Ministry of Health, commended the donors for the ongoing support to the health sector.

The permanent secretary appealed for the sustenance of the trend.

More than 60 medical professionals from benefitting public medical facilities from Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers are participating in the training in Yenagoa.

Source: NAN

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