The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) over the weekend concluded its eight-yearly re-accreditation visit to the Regional Training School (RTC) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in Oshodi, Lagos.
The re-accreditation visit which lasted for five days was conducted by a team from WMO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland, led by the Coordinator of Learning and Development, WMO Education & Training Office, Dr. Paul Bugeac.
Speaking at the re-accreditation review meeting, Bugeac said that the WMO had received very drastic and tough complaints about NiMet’s RTC from previous years which made him very upset.
He said: “Things were really bad. I am impressed by what I am seeing here now and what I have learned about the RTC in the last couple of months.
“It’s good to see dedicated staff taking care of the student’s hostel facilities, cleaning the rooms, and looking after the air conditioning and refrigerators, etc. Also having solar panels on all the buildings to be sure that the power is uninterrupted, and not depending on the national grid.”
Bugeac noted that the example of Nigeria’s RTC would be shown to others, adding that he was impressed with the commitment, trend, innovation, and evolution at Nigeria’s RTC.
He stressed: “Also, with the new training courses and new perspectives offered. We will continue our collaboration. I salute the commitment of Nigeria, and the commitment of the Permanent Representative of Nigeria with WMO, Professor Anosike.”
Responding, the Director General of NiMet, and Permanent Representative of Nigeria with the WMO, Professor Charles Anosike thanked Bugeac for acknowledging the tremendous progress the agency has made at RTC.
He said: “I am happy to hear that what is outstanding for our re-accreditation is just documentation. We have brilliant hardworking meteorologists and scientists at NiMet. Documentation will not be a problem.
“We are usually able to get things done, not just for the re-certification. We have been able to achieve a lot within four months leading to this WMO re-accreditation visit. This institution is wearing two caps now. It’s also nationally recognised and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to offer Diploma courses in related disciplines.”
