From Sunday Ani
Abuja-based journalist and publisher Bonaventure Melah has condemned a malicious media campaign targeting Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) Director-General Prof. Charles Anosike.
In a statement titled “Who Is Afraid of Prof. Anosike’s Bold Footprints at NiMet?” issued on Sunday, May 4, 2025, Melah described online reports linking Anosike to contract fraud as misleading and orchestrated to discredit him.
Melah clarified that stories by three online platforms falsely claimed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was probing Anosike over multi-billion naira contracts awarded in 2021, two years before his December 2023 appointment.
The EFCC’s inquiry, addressed to NiMet’s Procurement and Human Resources heads, sought 2021 contract and travel documents, not implicating Anosike. He called the headlines dishonest, noting NiMet’s rebuttal was ignored by one outlet that republished the story verbatim.
Melah warned that such “pull-him-down” tactics aim to frustrate visionary leaders. He praised Anosike’s transformation of NiMet, including the e-flight folder system for automated weather reporting and early flood warnings that reduced flooding impacts.
Anosike’s leadership earned him two awards in 2025, including the African Public Sector Leadership Impact Award.
Citing labour expert Wakili El-Habib, Melah noted NiMet paid 2019 minimum wage arrears and trained over 1,000 staff in 2024, reflecting Anosike’s commitment. However, El-Habib highlighted internal sabotage by some labour leaders.
Melah urged Nigerians to reject smear campaigns and support Anosike, whose 25-year career in academia and private sectors underpins his merit-based appointment and NiMet’s progress.