The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and rain across the country from Thursday to Saturday.

‎‎NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Wednesday in Abuja, forecast patches of cloud over the northern region on Thursday.

‎‎It predicted prospects of morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba states during the morning hours.

‎‎NiMet anticipated isolated thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain over parts of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, and Taraba later in the day. ‎

‎”For the North-Central region, thunderstorms accompanied by light rains are expected over the central region during the morning hours.

‎‎”During the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rain are expected over parts of Niger, Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory,” it said.

‎‎The agency forecast a cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning rains over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, and Ekiti.

‎‎NiMet predicted moderate rain over most parts of the region later in the day.

‎‎According to NiMet, patches of clouds are anticipated over the northern region on Friday, with prospects of morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa during the morning hours.

‎‎It predicted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall over parts of Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba States later in the afternoon or evening.

‎‎”Sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the central region, with prospects of early morning‎ thunderstorms with light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Niger, Kwara, and Kogi States during the morning hours.

‎‎”Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over the entire region. Early-morning light rain is anticipated over the region.

“Later in the day, moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Edo States,” it said.

‎‎NiMet anticipated partly cloudy skies over the northern region on Saturday, with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Taraba, and Kaduna States during the morning hours.

‎‎It predicted thunderstorms with moderate rain over parts of Taraba, Kaduna, and Adamawa States later in the day.

‎”Sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the North-Central region, with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of Benue state during the morning hours.

“Later during the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Kogi States.

‎‎”Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the southern region with prospects of light rains over parts of Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States during the morning hours,” it said.

‎‎NiMet envisaged moderate rain over most parts of the region later in the day.

‎According to NiMet, strong winds may precede rain in areas where thunderstorms are likely.

It urged the public to take adequate precautions and to ensure that loose objects are fastened to prevent collisions.

‎‎The agency also urged the public to avoid driving in heavy rain and to disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets.

‎‎”Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.

“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” the agency said.

It advised residents to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng

(NAN)

The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, Olajide Esan, has called for sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s political system, saying the current structure discourages competent citizens from seeking public office.

Esan made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Guest Platform, where he outlined his vision for governance, economic development, and social welfare in Osun State.

According to him, the existing political system requires major adjustments because it has failed to produce the desired level of development.

He argued that the structure favours individuals who regard politics and governance as a business rather than public service.

“The system doesn’t allow people with ideas, but those who see politics and governance as a business to run for office. It is not sustainable, and this is one of the reasons why I decided to run for office,” Esan said.

The AAC candidate stated that his administration would promote participatory governance by giving residents greater involvement in decision-making processes.

He said governance should be people-centred and designed to reflect the aspirations of citizens across the state.

He also criticised the country’s political leadership since 1999, alleging that Nigeria has continued to recycle political leaders while nepotism has become increasingly entrenched.

“Leadership should be based on service and not imposition. Nigeria has too many politicians but not leaders,” he said.

Esan argued that poverty and ignorance had been used to manipulate citizens, adding that his administration would encourage stronger interfaith relationships to promote unity and discourage divisions among communities.

On social welfare, the governorship hopeful pledged to devote his entire salary to the welfare of senior citizens if elected.

He also proposed the creation of a comprehensive Osun residents’ database to improve planning and service delivery across the state.

The AAC candidate unveiled a proposal for an Osun Child Trust Fund, explaining that every child born in the state would have a dedicated investment account until the age of 18 to support higher education or provide start-up capital for a business.

Speaking on traditional institutions, Esan said a defined percentage of local government revenue should be allocated to traditional rulers to strengthen their roles in community development while ensuring they remain outside partisan politics.

On agriculture, he advocated an agro-based economy and stressed the need for policies that protect local agricultural practices. He expressed concern over the adoption of genetically modified organisms, saying Africa should carefully assess such technologies before their widespread implementation.

Addressing the mining sector, Esan alleged that the benefits of illegal mining were being enjoyed by a few individuals instead of the people.

He said tackling illegal mining forms part of the AAC manifesto, adding, “Leaders are the ones benefitting from the proceeds of illegal mining. Curtailing illegal mining is part of our manifesto because the proceeds of mining are meant for the people of Osun State.”