…Signifies interest in NIGCOMSAT’s N2/3 satellite payloads
Lawal: Nigeria Army remains pride of the nation
By SEUN ADAMS
The Nigerian Defence Space Administration (DSA) has signified interest and requested for NIGCOMSAT’s collaboration through utilization of the ‘independent transponder’ on the two satellites (NigComSat 2&3).
Authoritative sources told NEWS-EXTRAORDINAIRE that the NigComsat 2/3) will be launched in no distant time.
NIGCOMSAT management however assured the CDSA that the request for the transponder payload is ‘a done deal’ and called for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) soonest.
In a statement signed by Mr. Adamu Idris, said critical to DSA is the L-band payload which DSA described as ‘very dear to their heart’.
According to the statement, the Defence Space Administration (DSA) has for the umpteenth time, given a resounding applauds to the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd, on the different services it has enjoyed on its communications satellite, NigComSat-1R.
DSA Chief of Defence, Air Vice Marshal, Ahmed Shinkafi gave the commendation today when he paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Tukur Mohammed Tukur and his senior Management team at the NIGCOMSAT Ground Control State, along Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Abuja.
The CDSA commended NIGCOMSAT Ltd on broadband services enjoyed by them and called for more collaboration between the civilian satellite operator and the military operator. He also thanked NIGCOMSAT Ltd and its engineers for continuous training of DSA staff.
In a remark, the Chief Executive Officer, NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Engr. Tukur Mohammed Lawal, expressed optimism on the relationships and called for more collaborations while at the same congratulating the new helmsman at the Defence Space Administration for considering NIGCOMSAT Ltd as its first port of call as he assumed duty.
Lawal, assured the new CDSA boss that NIGCOMSAT Ltd is willing to contribute its quarters in the promotion of Space administration in the country and assured the CDSA that NIGCOMSAT engineers will offer training to the Defence Space Administration staff when the need arise.
Also contributing, Navy Commodore Chris Anuge (rtd) informed that the Defence Space Administration has launched its satellite known as Nsat-1. He called on NOIGCOMSAT Ltd to also take advantage of the military satellite as part of the collaborative efforts.
In another development, NIGCOMSAT has been given a pad on the back for its capacity in providing satellite services for the Armed Forces and the Nigerian Army.
The commendation came from the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, when he received the MD/CEO of NIGCOMSAT who paid him a courtesy call in his office at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Lagbaja, acknowledged that the army is conscious of the Nigerian facility and will collaborate with NIGCOMSAT Ltd as it prepares the launch of a second communications satellite otherwise known as NigComSat-2.
He requested the inclusion of the Army personnel in the design of the second satellite and also the training of the Army in the Command and Control of the communications satellite for security purpose
Earlier Lawal, expressed optimism on the collaboration between the Nigeria Army and NIGCOMSAT Ltd, stating that the Nigeria Army remains the ‘pride of the nation’.
The Managing Director extol the exploit of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, as one of the finest soldiers in the country and expressed optimism entity will benefit immensely in the area of collaboration between the Nigerian Army and NIGCOMSAT Ltd.
The Nigerian Army and NIGCOMSAT Ltd have agreed to form a committee with the view to having a MoU to facilitate the collaboration.