By Miriam Humbe
The Managing Director, South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Mr. Mark Okoye paid a courtesy visit to the Director General/CEO Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, today 16th July 2025.
Mr. Okoye reiterated the vision and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in fostering regional development by establishing the South-East Development Commission among others to coordinate and implement initiatives in support of reconstructing, rehabilitating and improving infrastructures, as well as tackle ecological, and developmental related challenges in the South-East States.
He expressed his desire for both government institutions to explore ways to partner and improve collective efforts in promoting Climate-Resilient development.
He also laid emphasis on the de-risking economic sectors through intervention programs and projects the Commission may be embarking upon.
Prof. Anosike informed the MD SEDC of the laudable activities the Agency has initiated and supported over the years in support of regional developments.
The Agency has experience of working with the North-East Development Commission in providing weather and climate early warning services and is ready to replicate the same with the SEDC.
He noted that there is the need to identify vulnerabilities in the region and tailor mitigation options to make the communities adapt to risks and improve the livelihoods of the people across all spheres of life.
The Agency possesses expertise and evidence-based scientific products to address the region’s climatic vulnerabilities such as flash floods, soil erosion, heavy rainfall and hazards triggered by weather vagaries.
The DG/CEO, NiMet, further informed that Downscaling of the Seasonal Climate Prediction is a low hanging fruit that can stimulate climate smart agriculture among the farmers to ensure improved and sustainable food production in line with the food systems security initiative of Mr. President.
Other areas to explore involve capacity development through sensitization and advocacy to close-up the gap in climate information access by the communities thereby enabling them to make informed and climate-smart decisions for enhanced productivity, protection of livelihoods and sustainable development.
The duo ended up in a consensus to support one another in public private engagements and enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) immediately, as this will aid the facilitation of their expected objectives and goals, especially as Federal Government Institutions.
