The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), says it will boost the capacity of Niger and the Gambia in the weather forecasts for safety and sustainable national socio-economic development.
NiMet`s Director-General, Prof. Mansur Matazu made this known in Abuja on Monday when he received a delegation from Niger and a team from the Gambia for a 10-day technical study visit.
Matazu said the outcome of the technical visit study would increase the knowledge of the two teams to advance their countries on meteorology toward the safety of lives and properties.
He said the teams would enjoy how NiMet experts observe Nigerian weather and climate to provide meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic services in support of national needs and international obligations.
“The two countries will learn about experience in Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) on Tuesday, weather prediction, issue of climate change impact mitigation and adaptation in Nigeria.
“in addition, we will share the experience with our Niger team, specifically on database management and applied meteorology,
“For the Gambia team, we want to share ideas with them on impact-based forecast feasibility and relevance,“ he said.
Niger team leader, Mr. Katiellou Lawan, said his team would gain a lot from NiMet, from the reasonable experts and infrastructure of the agency.
“Africa is one. We just only have physical boundaries. We have a lot to benefit from one another,“ he said.
The leader of the Gambian team, Mr. Lamin Mai, who was the Director, of the Department of Water Resources of the Gambia, explained that the purpose of their visitation was to upgrade services in meteorology.
“We may have the tools, but we do not have the experts. NiMet will help us in capacity building,“ he stated.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
