The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, recently paid a familiarization visit to the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC). The visit aimed to establish a stronger rapport with the Acting Chairman/CEO of NAEC, Engr. Anthony I.G. Ekedegwa, congratulate him on his appointment, and acknowledge NAEC’s long-standing support for NIHSA’s initiatives.
In his opening remarks, the NIHSA DG underscored the importance of institutional collaboration and highlighted NAEC’s critical role in supporting water resource management in Nigeria. “We recognize and deeply appreciate the technical support and partnership that NAEC has provided over the years. This visit underscores our commitment to further strengthening our collaboration in areas of mutual interest,” he said.
He commended NAEC’s contributions, particularly in isotope techniques and the provision of specialized equipment that have enhanced water resource assessments across the country.
Mr. Stephen Jabo, Technical Adviser to the NIHSA DG and immediate past Director of the Hydrogeophysics Department, also acknowledged NAEC’s impactful contributions. “It is only fitting that we express our gratitude in person for the immense benefits derived from this partnership,” he remarked.
During the meeting, Mr. Hussaini Ushe Sunday, Acting Director of NIHSA’s Hydrogeophysics Department, raised concerns about two critical pieces of equipment—the Mass Spectrometer and the Laser Spectroscopic Analyzer—which are currently non-functional. He highlighted the immense potential of these instruments to generate significant revenue for the country and appealed to NAEC for assistance, particularly through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAA), to ensure the devices’ repair and optimization.
Responding to NIHSA’s appeal, Engr. Anthony I.G. Ekedegwa, Acting Chairman/CEO of NAEC, expressed appreciation for NIHSA’s detailed briefing and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to addressing the challenges raised. “These devices are highly technical scientific instruments critical to our nation’s development, and it is my desire, along with that of NAEC, to ensure they are functional. We are already working on solutions and are in discussions with the IAA to expedite support in this regard. Beyond repairs, we recognize the need to train personnel to effectively operate and maintain these devices,” Engr. Ekedegwa stated.
He emphasized the need for deeper collaboration with NIHSA to advance Nigeria’s hydrological and energy sectors, expressing optimism that the partnership would yield tangible outcomes in water resource management, energy generation, and revenue creation.
The visit ended on a positive note, with both organizations reaffirming their commitment to sustaining and deepening their collaboration to achieve shared goals and contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable development.
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