Jonathan heads National Space Council

[Mirror]

• Targets space technology for security, economic growth

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday charged members of the National Space Council to work towards the development of space technology that would fast track the industrialisation process of the country.

Speaking while inaugurating the council at the Presidential Villa, President Jonathan, who heads the council, said members of the council have the responsibility of developing the strategy that would enable the country benefit maximally from the huge investments in the development of space technology.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo would serve as the deputy chairman while the other members are the National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and three university professors including Vincent Olunloyo, Elijah Mshelia, and Fransisca Okeke.

Ministers listed as members of the council are; Muhammad Sada (Mines and Steel); Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa'i (Education); Prof. Ita Ewa (Science and Technology); Dr. Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning); Comrade Abba Moro (Interior); Mrs. Omobola Johnson (Communication Technology) and Erelu Olusola Obada (Minister of State for Defence).

At the inauguration of the council yesterday, President Jonathan expressed optimism that in the shortest possible time, the country would be able to manufacture and launch its own satellite, stressing that his administration was committed to the actualisation of the definitive goals of the space programme.

He said the National Space Council is the apex body charged with the responsibility of developing policy guidelines for activities in space, stressing that it also has the vital role of monitoring the implementation of the national space programme.

The President noted that in 2011, the country recorded a feat worthy of celebration with the launch of two X observation satellites, one of which was the Nigeria Sat X designed and built by Nigerian engineers and scientists.

"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 overemphasized," the President said.

According to him, members of the National Space Council are made up of people of high caliber, including university professors who have reached the peak of their profession. Jonathan said the development of space technology is a challenge, not only to the members of the council, but to all Nigerians, stressing that "we should dedicate ourselves to building a better technologicallyadvanced, stable and prosperous Nigeria for our children."

The President charged members of the committee to work hard to justify the confidence the nation has in them by bringing all their experience to bear in the discharge of their assignment.

National Mirror