Professor Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi

PROFESSOR GOP Obasi was Secretary –General of the World Meteorological Organisation (“ WMO ”) for a period of 20 years having served five consecutive terms. On his death in March 2007, aged 73, he was Secretary- General Emeritus.

During his 20 years tenure, he was untiring in his promotion of environmental issues especially with regard to the atmosphere, fresh water and the oceans. He was at the forefront in drawing the world's attention to climate change and played a major role in the WMO and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (“NMHSs”) campaigning for stakeholders to work together to curtail the emission of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere and the reduction of disasters such as floods, tropical cyclones and droughts etc caused by climate change.

He also promoted education and training in the NMHSs of developing countries and had a distinguished teaching career in Kenya as a University Professor, made scientific contributions to the African Academy of Science and was a strong supporter of the African water community.

The Professor was honoured by many professional meteorological and hydrological societies, academies of sciences and universities throughout the world.

References: World Meteorological Organization and the African Water Journal