Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu has received the award ofthe first National Space Ambassador.
The award was conferred on him by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) on Thursday at the 2021 Space Dialogue/National Media Conference on Space Science, Technology and Innovation organised by the agency in Abuja.
The theme of the conference was “Effective Utilisation, Promotion and Reporting of Space Science, Technology and Innovation in Post COVID-19 Era”.
Dr Halilu Shaba, Director-General of NASRDA, said the award was in recognition of the governor’s support towards the development of space science and technology in his state especially in boosting agricultural activities.
Receiving the award, the governor said he would galvanise other states to collaborate with the space agency on space applications.
The governor stated that the country was blessed with an array of scientists capable of making a change in space science and technology, which was part of the things he would propagate.
According to him “Nigeria has lots of scientists that need to be encouraged in development of the space industry.
“We also need to create synergy among agencies involved in space applications because there government research institutions that work in silos and their work is not recognised.
“We also need to bring these agencies to relate with the private sector for better development,” he said.
He promised to make use of the ambassadorial position to engage sectors in his state, like in agriculture, health, education, among others for better space applications.
In his speech at the occasion, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, urged stakeholders in the space industry and the media to prioritise reporting space, Science and Technology activities in the country for socio-economic development.
Onu who was represented by Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of State, said that the FG had made huge efforts towards ensuring the growth of space technology in the country.
He said that the gap between developed country and under-developed was their ability to deploy digitisation,Science and Technology for their development.
“The theme of the conference is important because space, science technology poses the solution to addressing human challenges.
“There is need for all to accord priority to space, science and technology reportage which will ensure public awareness that will drive development,” he said.
The Minister of State, Science, Technology and Innovation, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Sunday Akpan, on his part said the FG had kept implementing space policy and programmes through NASRDA for the socio-economic development of the nation.
Abdullahi said the propagation of space activities will keep correcting erroneous impressions of the space programmes and provide evidence-based analysis in agriculture, education, security and all areas of space technology application for better transformation.
“The dialogue will further push the narrative of the significance of the space programmes to achieving a nation of our dreams,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the post COVID-19 era required the use of space dependent applications in making the society a better place.
He advised the space agency to leverage on emerging technologies to address human challenges.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NASRDA, said the agency is committed to propagating space capabilities to keep the nation and the public abreast of the benefits of space applications.
Shaba said “NASRDA remains enduringly committed in her determination to fulfil her mandate, by deploying capabilities in Space Science and Technology for the enhancement and realisation of a better life for the ordinary Nigerian.
“Since inception in 1999, the space agency has assiduously continued to positively thrive towards the realization of this mandate with its activity centres and laboratories spread across the various geo-political zones of the country.
“We want to assure you that we are still committed and on the right path to our 25-year roadmap as approved by the Federal Executive Council,” he said.
Dr Felix Ale, Head, Media and Corporate Communications of NASRDA, solicited for media cooperation for space programmes propagation.
“We urge the media to continue in the publicity of the space programmes for the good of the society as it is for the socio-economic development of the nation.”
The Guest Speaker at the event, the National Defence College Commandant, Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, called on the government not to spare any effort in committing resources towards space, science
Daji, while focusing on “Maximising Space Science Technology and Innovations for Enhanced Human Security in the Post COVID-19 Era,” said space was the frontier to developing any sector.
According to him, application of space, science and technology is a major way nations of the world measure developments.
He also recognised that COVID-19 pandemic had impacted space science, technology and innovation systems and would transcend to years in the future.
“It would be expedient for NASRDA to engender synergy to optimise deliverables in collaboration with the private sector and other relevant agencies.
“There has to be a deliberate increment in the financial investment drive of the agency to improve the present state of space technology infrastructure, research and human capital development,” he said. (NAN)
The media dialogue is a yearly event organised by NASDRA aimed at reviewing the activities of the space agency within the year.
