By Emma Elebeke

The annual National Space Dialogue organized by the National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA  recently ended in Abuja with stakeholders calling on federal government to maximize Nigeria’s potential in space technology and application.

They are of the view that time has come for government to assess its space programme, evaluate its prospects and unfold practical steps to explore the potentials,  with a view to achieving the set targets as listed in the  Nigerian roadmap for space programme.

The programme, fifth in the series was themed:  “Space Technology and DisasterManagement: Setting an Agenda on Partnership for National Development’.

The conference dwelt more on overviews of policies, space technology initiatives, flood variables and scenarios, while the technical session dwelt extensively on “space technology and disaster managemen entitled: Setting an agenda on partnership for national development”.

According to stakeholders, the theme of the conference was timely, in view of the recent trends of flood disasters in Nigeria.

Some speakers who spoke at the occasion observed that Nigeria, through the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has been systematically pursuing the attainment of space capabilities as an essential tool for Nigeria’s sustainable development and that Space programme is a very important and viable tool for National Security and Development and concluded by saying that investments in Space Technology in Nigeria are in the right direction.

For them, the vision for space technology by Nigeria’s leadership, both at the Federal level, ministerial and foreign technical partner levels have played a fundamental role in supporting and enhancing the know how training and transfer among Nigerian Engineers and Scientists.

They specifically observed that space technology is particularly meaningful and relevant to achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of the Africa, where satellite and space solutions and products can be proven effective and efficient.

With the currency of flood disaster in Nigeria, they felt that there is need for a change of attitude in disaster management and for provision of adequate data for quick response and management of disasters in Nigeria, noting that where such are not available, access and quality disaster management remain a challenge.

In his keynote address, the minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Bassey Okon Ewa, said that space technology reflects the comprehensive power of a nation which had proven to be the driving force behind the economies and securities of countries like USA, China, Russia and Britain.

The minister while emphasizing the importance of space technology, said that Nigeria had been pursuing the attainment of capacities in the sector as an essential tool for a sustainable growth, through research, engineering development and satellite data acquisition among others.

While blaming the poor acceptance of the technology in Nigeria on low awareness, the minister tasked  the local engineers and scientists to leverage the opportunity offered by space technology, and called on all stakeholders to give in their support.

‘‘Due to poor viewed misconceptions, many have viewed going to space a needless venture. That is why all hands must be on deck to support the ongoing programmes of the current administration,’’ he said.

For him, the Millennium Development Goals will have more impact in Africa, if satellite and space technology solutions and  products can be proven effective and efficient.

The Chairman, Senate Committee of Science and Technology, Prof. Robert Boroffice lamented what he called the neglect of space technology by both public and private sector in Nigeria and stressed the need for Nigeria to draw from the numerous benefits derivable from the sector.

Boroffice who expressed joy for the growth of the agency, called on stakeholders to synergize and find ways of advancing security and economic development of Nigeria through space technology.

Earlier, Director General of the agency, Dr. Seidu Mohammed said that the event was in line with the 25 years plan of the agency’s roadmap for space and technology development in Nigeria. He charged the media to step up awareness creation to enable more Nigerians appreciate the importance of the technology.

He said that plans had reached advanced stage to produce the first Nigerian astronaut, who will go to space to conduct high level research , needed for  several purposes like agro based  development, health, disaster, weather monitoring  and some other issues that are peculiar to Nigeria.

According to him, this possibility of this vision, had been demonstrated by a lot of research that were done in the past.