By Onisue Emmanuel
Professor Charles Anosike, Director General/Chief Executive Officer and Permanent Representative of Nigeria with the World Meteorological Organization, WMO, has been elected President of the ECOWAS Committee of Directors of National Hydrological and Meteorological Services, NMHSs.
His election took place during the Committee’s 14th Meeting, held from May 20 to 22, in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Committee, which brings together heads of NMHSs across West Africa, serves as a platform for strengthening regional collaboration in weather, climate, and water services. Its core priorities include enhancing early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, and building climate resilience under the ECOWAS Hydromet Initiative.
In his acceptance remarks, Professor Anosike reaffirmed his commitment to advancing joint efforts across the region:
“As we confront the challenges of climate change, our collective action is crucial. I am honoured to lead this Committee at such a pivotal time.”
The meeting gathered delegates from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Cape Verde, alongside key partners such as WMO, ACMAD, AGRHYMET, WASCAL, the ECOWAS Commission, the World Bank, and MOWCA.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, officially opened the meeting, with support from Dr. Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
One of the key highlights of the session was the review of the “Early Warnings for All, EW4ALL” initiative, which aims for full regional implementation by 2027.
