NiMet, AWWDI Forge Partnership to Enhance Weather, Climate Info Accessibility for Disabled Community
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has taken a significant step towards inclusivity in climate information dissemination by partnering with the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI).
The collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on Friday, is aimed at delivering timely weather and climate information to persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
The partnership will see NiMet provide early warning services on extreme weather events to AWWDI, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to advocating for the rights and welfare of women with disabilities.
This initiative seeks to empower vulnerable communities, especially those living with disabilities, to respond effectively to climate-induced challenges.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, NiMet’s Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Charles Anosike, emphasised the agency’s commitment to inclusivity.
“I welcome the team from AWWDI to NiMet. The speed with which we acted upon receiving your proposal reflects our dedication to addressing social issues, including those affecting people with disabilities. This MoU underscores our resolve to ensure that weather and climate information reaches everyone, leaving no one behind,” he stated.
Anosike assured that AWWDI would be integrated into future programmes of NiMet, highlighting the crucial role of collaboration in building resilience to climate change impacts.
“When we partner effectively and people can respond appropriately, we build resilience in our communities. Resilience fosters unity, and unity strengthens our collective survival,” he added.
The Executive Director of AWWDI, Mrs Patience Ogolo-Dickson, expressed gratitude to NiMet for the warm reception and proactive engagement.
She described the MoU as a groundbreaking step for persons with disabilities, particularly women, who face compounded challenges from climate change.
“Climate change affects us uniquely. Our community is already burdened with physical, communication, and social barriers. This partnership gives us a voice in the ongoing climate discourse and ensures our concerns are recognised,” she noted.
Mrs Dickson also praised the Disability Rights Fund for supporting AWWDI’s climate change initiatives, which focus on the implications of environmental policies for women and girls with disabilities.
Through this partnership, NiMet and AWWDI aim to foster greater awareness of the intersection between climate change and disability issues.
The collaboration reflects a broader commitment to inclusivity and resilience-building as Nigeria continues to face the growing impacts of climate change.
The event concluded with a shared resolve to ensure that weather and climate information becomes a tool for empowerment and survival for all Nigerians, regardless of their physical abilities.
