NSE hails Nigeria on space technology

Nigerian Society of Engineers has commended Nigeria for achieving feat in space technology and traced the development to commitment; focus on development of technology and human capital.
Engr Aishatu Umar, Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Giri branch, Abuja gave the commendation on Wednesday during a public lecture entitled: “The Impact of Space Engineering on Industralisation”, organised by NSE Giri branch.
She said that with six satellites launches, “Nigeria is a major player in space technology listed among owners of man-made objects orbiting the earth”.
According to her, the feat has enhanced efforts aimed at meeting the nation’s needs in space sphere.
She maintained that one of the satellites orbiting the earth today was solely designed by Nigerian scientists and engineers.
Umar said the success of the engineers was due to the collaboration between them and the National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal University of Technology, Akure and a Japanese University.
Umar said that sustaining the momentum and enhance space technology in the country would require enhancing training and empowerment of personnel.
She challenged specialists and stakeholders in space technology to make evaluation of the benefits of space technology in Nigeria with informed opinion on how to use it to diversify the economy.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event brought together specialists and major key stakeholders on different aspects of space technology and provided them opportunity to look at space resources, share experiences with a view to charting a way forward.
Aishatu said the event came at a period the nation was besieged with security challenges, pipeline vandalism, erosion in some parts of the country and climate change.
She said that ideas gathered from the event would go a long way in putting to use resources abound the space industry to enhance national security and assets among others advantages.
She noted that with the benefit of space technology in focus, “there is no more appropriate time for this gathering and purpose than now”.
Highlights of the event was the induction of new members by the Vice-President of NSE, Dr Edith Ishidi.
The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Andem Ekpo-Bassey and among other dignitaries also attended the occasion.