The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has said that the development of space technology will help the country to meet its national needs for economic and social development. Onu said this on Monday at the opening of the 16th National Space Dialogue.
The Dialogue, which has as its theme: “Space Technology for Self-Reliance and Sustainable Development’’ is organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja. He said that the application of space technology would help the nation to achieve food security, enhance effective growth of information and communication technology sub-sector, tele-medicine, among other areas of national development. The Minister added that the potential of space was yet to be fully explored, saying Nigeria should be part of that discovery. Mohammed said that government could not fund space development alone, hence the need for the private sector to key in into the growth of the sector. Rep. Beni Lar, the Chairman, Chairman House Committee on Science and Technology, said that stakeholders in the country’s space technology should come together and chart a roadmap for the development of space technology. She however commended the Minister for Science and Technology for his commitment toward space and technology growth of the country. Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, the keynote Speaker at the event said, “Space technology has drastically transformed space-faring nations industrially and economically.” Ibidapo-Obe called on policymakers to ensure that Nigeria explored the technology fully. The event was attended by representatives of various organisations including Parastatals under the Ministry of Science and Technology, National Defence College, Office of the Surveyor-General, among others. Newsmen recall that development of space technology in Nigeria began in 1999 with the launching of satellite from 2003, beginning with Nigeria sat -1.
Source:radionigeria.gov.ng
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