News
Most States in Nigeria to experience early rainfall – NiMet
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicated that the rainfall onset date is to be earlier than the long-term average in most parts of the country in 2023.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika disclosed this at the public presentation of the 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) organized by NiMet in Abuja.
Senator Sirika noted that the onset dates will range from 2nd March to 7th July 2023. While states like Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe in the North and
Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers in the South are likely to experience a delayed onset.
The Onset is expected to become established in early March from the coastal states of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
Speaking on day and night temperature for May, he said the forecast has
been included to capture variability in recent climate and to cover the
hot season in Nigeria which is usually observed between February and
May.
He added that the 2023 SCP document has also been translated into three
major languages: Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo, to provide increased access and encourage wider uptake in the Country.
“The rainfall onset date is predicted to be earlier than the long-term average in most parts of the country. However, parts
of Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, and Yobe in the north and Cross River, Ebonyi, Imo, and Rivers in the south are likely to
experience a delayed onset
“The Onset is expected to become established in early March from the coastal states of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom; in April for the Inland States of the South;
in May around the Central States and around July in the northern States. The onset dates will range from 2nd March to 7th July 2023.” Sirika said.
An early End of Season (EoS) is also predicted over parts of the South, especially in Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and eastern parts of Ogun and Lagos and parts of Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi.
However, an extended rainfall season is predicted over parts of Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Enugu, Anambra, western Ogun, and Lagos. The end of season period is expected to range from the 26th of
September till 25th of December.
“The length of growing season in most places in the country is likely to be near the long-term average, except for some parts of the northern states such as Katsina, Jigawa, and Kano where
shorter than the long-term average length of the growing season is anticipated.
“The season is expected to range from 84 to 283 days. Abuja and surrounding States are expected to witness between 170 and 230 days. The annual total rainfall is predicted to be Normal to above
normal in most parts of the country.
“However, in parts of Yobe,
Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kaduna and FCT that are likely to observe below normal to near normal annual rainfall amounts. The annual rainfall amount is expected to range from 420 mm in
the far northernmost parts to 3253 mm in the coastal areas.” The Minister noted
On dry spell occurrences which have characterised seasons in Nigeria in recent
years. NiMet charged the general public to prepare for its occurrence between
June and early July as dry spell lasting between 15 to 21 days is in
the forecast, especially from the central parts of the country to the North.
“When compared to the last years, the little dry season (August Break) for 2023 is expected to be less intense. It is expected to last between 14 and 20 days starting from late July especially over the Southwest of the country.
“Other forecasts such as the temperature for the first 5 months of the year, Malaria and meningitis forecast along with the
socio-economic implications of these forecasts are contained in explicit details in the documents.
“To our dear Policy Makers across all tiers of Government, the 2023 SCP has been summarised in a booklet that is handy and
highly informative. This summary is also available today for your kind attention and pick up.
“As weather is dynamic so is the climate (i.e., Climate variability). Hence, I assure you that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency will ensure everything is done to bring updates to you should there be
changes in any of the expected climatic parameter. So, feel free to digest all the salient information contained in the
document.
“It is important at this juncture to appreciate everyone whose feedback, efforts, support, and leadership over the years have made the SCP and its advisories an important reference document and product within and outside Nigeria.
‘Your regular feedback will continue to help NiMet improve the accuracy of the forecast and performance of the model for optimum
productivity, guided decisions, and reliable results.
“Now that Early Warning has been provided, I encourage us All to
embrace Early Action for maximum benefits and sustainable national
socio-economic development. By so doing, collectively we would have
stayed through to the theme of this event: “Strengthening Climate Risk Early Warning Services for Improved Food Security
and Disaster Risk Reduction in Nigeria.” Senator Sirika admonished.
Also, the Director General, NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu commended
President Muhammadu Buhari for his unwavering support for the agency, especially for signing NiMet new Act of 2022.
“With the NiMet new Act of 2022, we are optimistic of effective collaborations
going forward. Thanks to Mr President and the Lawmakers for making this a reality”, Professor Matazu added.
News
Ododo’s aide escapes assassination by whiskers, allege APC youth leader, Mohammed behind attempt
Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo’s Aide, Hon. Godfrey Adekoye, Senior Special Assistant on Youths Empowerment on Tuesday escaped an assassination attempt on his life by whiskers.
The aide of the Governor said the attack on his life happened at Lounge 1, a popular hospitality joint in Lokoja, added that the attackers followed him down to his house, unfortunately they met his absence.
In a statement he made available to CAPITAL POST in Lokoja, the aide to the Governor accused the Kogi State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Mohammed U Mohammed and one Abubakar Nasara Ola as behind his attack.
He said during the attack on him, Abubakar threatened to kill him, pointed a gun at him before the intervention of onlookers who saved him by chance.
The attackers destroyed and broke the windscreen of his vehicle, that is now parked in the custody of the Quick Response Squad.
Speaking on the attack, Hon. Godfrey said he has since reported the matter to the Quick Response Squad, an arm of the Nigerian Police, in Lokoja, said his life is in danger.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ayah, said he was making efforts to confirm the attack on the aide, could not be reached as at time of going to press.
A popular General Overseer of a new generation Church, Elijah has been arrested by the Octopus (C41) Strike Force unit of Rivers State Police Command for investigation over homosexual allegations.
It was gathered that a video of the Pastor was leaked indulging in the homosexual act to the police by a member of his church.
The member who alleged that the General Overseer attempted sleep with him against his will.
The member who revealed his name simply as Patrick now a complainant said, he wanted to play along after the General Overseer made sexual advancement and captured the nude video of pastor attempting to have carnal knowledge of him.
Armed with the intelligence report, the police traced the General Overseer who is from Rivers State to one of his relaxation spots in Port Harcourt and arrested him.
Sources revealed to our correspondent that the General Overseer has reportedly confessed to other numerous acts of homosexuality involving both male adults and minors within and outside Port Harcourt.
Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.
Against government ban on rallies and organised reception under whatever guise by Kogi State Government, constituents of the Central Senatorial District troop3d out enmasse to receive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday in Okene.
According to the pictorials released by the Media office of Senator Natasha, creme-de-la creme could be seen waiting in a scorching sun, not minding the effect.
The massive turn out followed assurance from Senator Natasha ‘s media team that the lawmaker has arrived from overseas and would make it to Okene on Tuesday for Sallah celebrations with her constituents.
A statement obtained by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday, pointed out that the purported ban on rallies and the cancellation of the visit were mere rumours, hence, the embattled lawmaker would pay a visit her constituents.
Part of the statement read: “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central senatorial district will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion.”
On Monday, CAPITAL POST reported that Kogi State Government issued a statement which was signed bybthe Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo asserting security concerns, hence, the proposed homecoming of Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District should be put off.
He stressed that there security breaches in parts of Kohi West Senatorial District, thus the security was so volatile that Government cannot guarantee peace for now and abused that the proposed reception at Okene should be cancelled.
Also, Kogi State Police Command earlier on Tuesday issued a statement banning any rally within the State, stating that intelligence reports available to it indicated that crisis may spur.
The statement which was signed by Police Public Relation Officer, SP William Ovye Aya and made available to CAPITAL POST, stressed that intelligence reports was indicative of peace and the rally which was organised by Natasha’s constituents should be cancelled.
The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Constituents trooped out displaying placards demanding justice for Senator Natasha.
It was recalled that Natasha was suspended from the Senate for six months over breach of Senate Standing Orders.
The lawmaker also alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio was harassing her sexually.
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