By Hillary Asemota
The Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr Halilu Shaba, on Wednesday said arrangement has been firmed up to host the 2021 edition of the agency’s space dialogue for the Nigerian journalists and media practitioners.
According to the NASRDA boss, apart from fuelling their motivation, the capacity development is expected to trigger and hone their reportorial capacity on emerging technological breakthrough in space exploration for the overall development of Nigeria.
The conference, which is slated for Thursday 2nd December has its theme: “Effective utilization, Promotion and Reporting of Space Science, Technology and Innovations in post COVID-19 era, with the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, will declaring the conference open.
The Commandant, National Defence Collage, Rear Admiral Bamidele Daji, will be keynote Speaker, the NASRDA boss, added.
Dr. Felix Ale, the Head, Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, in a statement, quoted his boss saying that the conference will be the first to be presided over him in his capacity as the DG of the agency.
The event will unveil some research works and activities by some Directors of centre of excellence of the agency in line with the theme of the conference.
The NASRDA boss has received accolades from numerous stakeholders of space technology on the effective handling of his assignments since assumption of office, particularly his dedication and commitment towards excellence and drive in the actualisation of various set objectives and mandates of the agency.
On the relevance of the training, he explained that the 2021 edition of the Space dialogue and National Media conference is significant and strategic as the world is still grappling with the post COVID-19 headwinds, hence the need for effective reporting of relevance science discoveries and innovations that will trigger Nigeria’s development, make positive impacts as well as making lives better for humanity.
He said NASRDA is focusing on these critical areas of the global interest as its for 2021 edition in fulfilment of part of its mandates on the attainment of space capabilities and the enhancement of the quality of life of mankind through space related research and development, capacity building in the field of science, engineering and administration for sustainable national development.
Furthermore, he explained that the conference is also in demonstration of support by the space agency in the on-going efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari Administration towards the social, political and economic emancipation of our great nation.
The NASRDA boss, acknowledged that advances in space science and technology have led to unprecedented and rapid access to vast amounts of data on societies, the economy and environment, pointing out that in keeping up with this development, governments, organisations and citizens across the globe are currently in the new state of experimentation, innovation and adaptation.
According to him both data revolution and technological innovation have great potentials to tackle key issues and challenges in human society for healthy living and radical development in all ramifications.
Shaba, explained that the 2021 edition of space dialogue promises to be very engaging as well as generates robust discussions for the good of the country and overall benefits of the people.
He assured that the agency will continue to do its best in order to justify its crucial roles as a strategic government establishment for socio-economic development.
Meanwhile and in a recent development, the agency’s Head of Media, who is a Specialist Communicator on Space Technology, Dr. Ale, has been appointed a member of the Advisory Council for the School of Communication, GD Goenka University, New Delhi, India for the 2021-2022 se4ssion.
In a letter of notification by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Tabrez Ahmad, he said: “This appointment is in recognition of your professional excellence, scholarly published works and contributions in various international for a on communications and space journalism.