By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
Prof. Matthew Adepoju, Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), says as Nigeria marks its 66th independence anniversary, its development is going through a gestation period.
He said it, therefore, required patience, strategic decisions and sustained investment in critical infrastructure for expected dividends to be realised.
Adepoju, who said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, stressed that serious-minded nations were expected to take bold decisions that produce benefits for their citizens over time.
“You cannot become pregnant today and then expect the baby seven days after; there is a gestation period. Nigerian development is going through a gestation period now,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to exercise patience saying overnight wealth and other quick-fix approaches would not deliver sustainable national development.
The NASRDA boss said Nigeria had recorded significant achievements in space science and technology in the past 66 years.
He described Nigeria as one of the leading nations in space science and technology on the African continent.
He said Nigeria had launched seven satellites and effectively utilised their products and services for communication, earth observation, astronomy, geodesy and other applications of space science and technology.
According to him, Nigerian space engineers were responsible for the development of NigeriaSat-X, which he described as the first satellite made by Africans.
Adepoju said the country was also expanding its capacity for monitoring seismic activities, particularly following recent seismic activities recorded in Abuja.
“We have three monitoring stations in Abuja to monitor the seismic activities in the Federal Capital Territory, while nationwide we have 21 stations; we are still adding more,” he said.
He said the successes recorded in the space sector had strengthened Nigeria’s bilateral relationships and contributed to other African countries looking up to Nigeria for expertise and collaboration.
He said the country’s progress would require collective efforts, patience and sustained commitment, stressing that “a nation is not built in a day.”
Adepoju said Nigeria’s 66 years of independence provided an opportunity to reflect on achievements recorded so far and to strengthen the foundation for future development.
He expressed optimism that Nigerians would look back in the next decade and appreciate the transformation resulting from current investments and reforms.(NAN)
Edited by Uche Anunne
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