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.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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