The African
Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) has congratulated
Professor Mansur Matazu on his appointment as UNDRR Expert on Early Warning and
Disaster Management Operations at the ECOWAS Commission. The distinguished
meteorologist assumed his new position at the ECOWAS Disaster Operations Center
in Abuja, bringing decades of continental expertise to West Africa's regional
resilience efforts.
Professor
Matazu's career embodies Africa's growing technical leadership in climate
science. As former Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency
(NiMet) and Chairman of ACMAD's Board, he pioneered innovative climate services
that enhanced weather forecasting and agricultural planning across the
continent. His tenure at ACMAD as Climate Services Applications Expert saw the
development of critical early warning systems now safeguarding vulnerable
communities.
"This
appointment recognizes both Professor Matazu's exceptional contributions and
ECOWAS' commitment to evidence-based disaster management," stated an ACMAD representative. The regional body's Disaster
Operations Center serves as West Africa's nerve center for coordinating
responses to floods, droughts and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate
change.
The transition
comes as African nations strengthen collaborative mechanisms under the African
Union's Agenda 2063 climate adaptation framework. ACMAD highlighted how
Professor Matazu's cross-border experience - from national weather leadership
to continental climate service development - positions him uniquely to
integrate early warning systems across ECOWAS' 15 member states.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
