EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Imo State University Centre for Atmosphere and Environmental Research (CAER) is a centre of excellence in advanced space studies on atmosphere and environmental research for mitigating climate and environmental challenges through vulnerability and impact assessment. The Centre avails the university the superior position in capacity building in line with the best global practices. The outputs from the Centre helps to pursue the attainment of Nigeria’s space capabilities and the enhancement of the quality of life of mankind through space-related research and development (R&D), address major national issues especially threats associated with food security, nomadic activities, migration and security. CAER has been attracting facilities that are available on campus to improve teaching and learning for capacity building and national development.
GOALS AT CAER
1. Establish a research Centre at Imo State University Owerri with the mandate of developing cutting edge outputs
in global atmospheric and environmental studies in general and Nigeria in particular.
2. Create the linkage with government agencies such as Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria Hydrological
Services Agency (NIHSA), and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for sustainable national development and capacity building.
3. Improve the learning capacity on campus through staff and students training in fundamental and applied research.
4. Develop national tools and master plans for addressing challenges associated with climate and environmental issues.
AUDIENCE PERSONA
1. All government agencies at Federal, State and local levels relevant to policy making with regards to
climate and environmental issues.
2. All staff and students (undergraduate and postgraduate) of Imo State University Owerri.
COMPETITIVE RESEARCH
There is no gainsaying on the gaps in developing the national capacity in addressing most climate and environmental challenges across Nigeria. This has been evident in skillfully predicting the local weather and climate, which has direct effect on the vegetation. The depletion of local vegetation has been strongly linked to pastoral migration that drives herdsmen/ farmers’ crisis and the associated conflicts and insecurity. Also, the climate affects the environment. The local environmental degradation leaves much to be desired. From the challenges associated with erosion, deforestation, desertification and flooding to the life style problems associated with the degradations such as energy use, waste management and sanitation.
Activities at the Centre for Atmosphere and Environment research will play significant role in addressing these gaps. Such activities shall include, but not limited to; climate and season to season predictions with greater precision for vulnerability mapping and impact assessment. Similarly, the activity shall develop mechanisms to recycle wastes on campus in particular and in the society in general to enhance sanitation. Also, the activities shall gear up green energy methods from renewable energy for electric power generation and for cooking within the campus and environs. The output products from these activities shall be commercially driven to enhance the internally generated revenue of the university. A team of seasoned academics from the university, who have developed the requisite skills to drive the centre shall manage these activities. There shall be the outreach team to drive the acceptability of the products and a legal team so that the Centre conforms to best global practices.
DIVISIONS AT CAER
1. Fundamental and Core research Division (FC): To pursue and advance cutting edge research in atmosphere/ space and environmental studies and their applications. This should include exploring new methodologies and instrumentations in the various research areas and interests of the Centre. The outputs from this division should address the nexus between atmospheric and environmental studies and the larger society vis a vis emerging technologies, socioeconomic sustainability and biodiversity.
2. Linkages and Partnerships Division (LP): To advance partnership between the Centre and the relevant government and non government agencies. They are to develop and pursue collaborations with other research centres and institutions whose mandates are pertinent to the activities of CAER.
3. Training and Outreach Division (TO): To enhance scientific capacity building, human development and public knowledge on issues concerning atmosphere and environmental studies and their applications and consequences. Their activities shall include, but not limited to, public lectures, community outreach and sensitization, and promoting gender inclusiveness.
4. Grants and Consultancy Division (GC): To identify and access funding agencies. They are to develop appropriate proposals to attract funds and grants to the Centre. The division shall promote the adoption and usage of the Centre’s expertise and outputs on a consultancy basis.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY OWERRI
 SAN, FCArb VICE CHANCELLOR |
 PROF. CHIGBO M.U. AJERO DEPURTY VICE CHANCELLOR ACADEMICS |
 DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR ADMINISTRATION |
 REGISTRAR/SECRETARY TO COUNCIL |
 BURSAR |
 AG. UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN |
BOARD MEMBERS AT IMSU CAER
| S/N | NAME | DESIGNATION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Prof. Theo Chidiezie Chineke. fnip https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=KnGiXXgAAAAJ&hl=en Email: chidiezie.chineke@imsu.edu.ng chidiezie@gmail.com |
Director |  |
| 2. | Rev. Prof. Chigbo M. U. Ajero. https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=dV9Ju1MAAAAJ< |
Member. Head, Linkages and Partnerships Division. |  |
| 3. | Prof. Okey K. Nwofor. https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=JiHEesoAAAAJ Email: prof.nwofor@imsu.edu.ng okeynwofor@yahoo.com |
Member. Head, Fundamental and Core Research Division. |  |
| 4. | Prof. Michael O. Ndugbu. https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=aPXl_ysAAAAJ |
Member |  |
| 5. | Prof. Agnes Idaehon Osita-Njoku. https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=q52SrFIAAAAJ Email: prof.osita-njoku@imsu.edu.ng agnesidaehon@gmail.com | Member |  |
| 6. | Prof. Benjamin U. Ekenyem.
Email: prof.ekenyem@imsu.edu.ng buekenyem@yahoo.com |
Member. Head, Training and Outreach Division. |  |
| 7. | Bar. Henry C. Alisigwe, PhD. https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=kL8-SdEAAAAJ Email: profhalisigwe@imsu.edu.ng blissfulchimee@gmail.com | Member |  |
| 8. | Dr. Cajetan Onyeneke. CLN https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=GYUW2_4AAAAJ Email: cajeonyeneke@imsu.edu.ng cajetanonyeneke@gmail.com |
Member |  |
| 9. | Dr. Ugochukwu K. Okoro. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=B0RBvvgAAAAJ&hl=en Email: ukokoro@imsu.edu.ng uknac23@yahoo.com |
Member. Head, Grants and Consultancy Division. |  |
| 10. | Engr. Dr. Julius I. Onyewudiala. https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=cYpoJhwAAAAJ Email: onyewudialaji@imsu.edu.ng onyewudialajulius@gmail.com |
Member |  |
| 11. | Arc. Dr. Marcel U. Okafor. fnia https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=iVz7mTcAAAAJ Email: okafor_marcellinnus@imsu.edu.ng arcdrmuokafor@gmail.com |
Member |  |
| 12. | Dr Nkeiruka Oly-Alawuba. https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=VUwvJz8AAAAJ Email: nkeiruka.oly-alawuba@imsu.edu.ng nkeirukamary@gmail.com |
Member |  |
| 13. | Mr Cajetan N. Curtis Azubogu, Deputy Registrar.
Email: kammadelis@yahoo.com cajetanazubogu@gmail.com |
Secretary/Centre Adminstrator |  |
PARTNERS WITH SIGNED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
• Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory (ASTAL) University of Uyo, Main Campus (subsidiary of Federal Ministry of Science & Technology, Abuja).
• Centre for Basic Space Science (CBSS), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (subsidiary of Federal Ministry of Science & Technology, Abuja).