Jonathan inaugurates National Space Council PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday inaugurated the National Space Council, saying that the federal government was poised to take advantage of space technology towards enhanced national security, communications and industrialisation. The 13-member board, which would oversee the activities of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDRA), is the nation’s highest policy making body on space development. President Jonathan charged the Council to accelerate the development of policy guidelines for activities in space and monitoring the implementation of the national space programme. The council, he stated, should work out an action plan in which Nigeria would utilize space technology to accelerate industrial development to enable the nation to start the manufacture of boats, aircrafts and other industrial goods. According to the president, “We must evolve clear cut initiatives that will not only fast track our industrialisation process but one that will also see us within the shortest possible period to be able to build our own motor vehicles, our own boats and our own aircrafts and of course launch our own satellite manufactured in Nigeria, from a launch site in Nigeria on a launch vehicle made in Nigeria. This is a challenge not only to the members of the council but to all Nigerians, we should dedicate ourselves to building a better technologically advanced stable and prosperous Nigeria for our children.” The Council, Jonathan added, must work towards “actualisation of the definitive goal of our space programme and find ways that will enable the country to maximally benefit from our huge investments in the development of space technology. Given the critical place of space technology in the areas of national security, communications, industrialisation and sustained socio-economic development, the critical need to properly structure and drive our national space programme cannot be over-emphasized.” Members of the council include the president who is the chairman, the vice president (deputy chairman), Ministers of Science & Technology, Communication Technology, Education, Defence, Interior, National Planning and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Others include Professors Elijah Mshelia, Vincent Olunloyo, Francesca N. Okeke and the director-general, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDRA).
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:49:46 +0000
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