The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding on research and development in Abuja on Tuesday.
NiMet Managing Director Prof. Mansur Matazu said such an
agreement would strengthen the already existing synergy between the two
organizations for capacity building.
According to him, this decision will also promote national development.
Matazu said signing a memorandum of understanding with
higher education institutions was one of NiMet’s mandates to transition to the
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) sagency’s products and
He said that more than 113 of these institutions are already
benefiting from the agency’s products.
“We want to collaborate with you in terms of research and
data exchange. We believe that many of our employees will benefit from your
university when it comes to capacity building.
“So signing the MoU will be the start of it all. We have
signed more than 15 memoranda of understanding with universities. 10 of them
will have to be pursued to logical conclusions.
“I’m sure you’ll be a part of it. We look forward to a more
colorful collaboration in terms of research, staff exchange and capacity
building, ”he said.
In response, Professor Iwe Ofo, Vice Chancellor of the
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, thanked the Director General
for setting up a weather station in the institution.
Ofo said the MoU with NiMet would increase mutual benefits
between the organizations.
“We are delighted to be here to represent Michael Okpara
Uninversity of Agriculture, one of Nigeria‘s three agricultural universities.
“We have been on this file for almost two years. I am
delighted to be here to manage this aspect of the gesture that you have really
initiated.
“We realized that one of the requirements of NiMet is to
accept that we work together. It’s settled well today, “he said.