The Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju has called for sustained collaboration between the Space Agency and the National Orientation Agency, NOA, in sensitizing the Nigerian populace about the benefits of Space Science and Technology in the country.
He made this call when he led the management team of NASRDA on a courtesy call to the Director General of NOA in Abuja.
The NASRDA boss described the visit as a step toward realizing his vision of changing the Nigerian narrative on Space technology, emphasizing that strategic collaborations with organizations like NOA are key to informing the public about the Space Agency’s contributions to the Nigerian project.
According to him, NASRDA’S current status as the leading Space Agency in Africa is drawn out of its vision, commitment and resilience which has been the guiding principles of the Agency over the years.
Dr. Adepoju who was highly elated with the warm reception by the host Agency went further to give an overview of NASRDA’S activities and how it has contributed meaningfully to the development of the country.
He added that the Agency boast of indigenous capabilities leveraging on home grown resources hence, the need for strategic collaboration with NOA, so that Nigerians can be better informed and carried along in her developmental activities.
The Director General highlighted some of the ground breaking projects executed by the Agency which includes the telemedicine project, the polio eradication programme and the universal Basic Education Monitoring project where the world bank declared NASRDA as the organisation with the first baseline reliable data in the country.
In his remark, the Director General, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa – Onilu said Nigerians must strive to epitomize their virtues through innovations and inventive activities as displayed by NASRDA in operations.
Mallam Issa-Onilu who described the visit as timely especially at this point where the Country is confronted with myriad of challenges, called on Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDA, of Government including the private sector to partner with the Space Agency in ensuring a productive relationship that proffer solutions and accelerate the pace of development in the country.
The Director General NOA who stated that his Agency has introduced several platforms for effective publicity added that the National Orientation Agency has established of a robust content chamber where MDA’s are regularly requested to submit a report of there periodic activities for onward transmission to the public using appropriate and effective mediums of communication.
He also pledged his Agency’s support to publicize the activities of NASRDA and suggested the setting up of a working committee which draws membership from both organisations and will be saddled with the responsibility of implementing critical decisions as well as ensuring effective advocacy.
Below are pictures from the event:
