The new Director General and Chief Executive, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, has stated that the agency will witness transformative leadership built on legacies of its founding fathers geared towards the actualisation of the Agency’s mandate.
He made this statement during the official presentation to members of staff as the fourth substantive Director General at the Agency’s Headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, efforts must be made by the management and staff of the Agency by imbibing a culture of excellence, discipline and optimism in addition to reposing unwavering confidence in NASRDA’s potential to achieve unprecedented heights especially at a time when the emphasis in the international system is on the development of space science and technology.
Dr. Adepoju stated that the need to optimise the Agency’s operational efficiency through restructuring is aimed at fostering wealth creation that can be achieved through public – private partnership to bolster the space sector’s sustainability and competitiveness.
The NASRDA Boss who was highly elated at the event announced the pledge by President Bola Tinubu to renew the satellite in orbit, an endorsement that, according to him promises to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s space capabilities and also elevate NASRDA’s standing on the global stage.
While highlighting some critical areas that need expansion, Dr Adepoju stressed the need for expanding the Agency’s publicity drive to effectively inform the public about its activities and achievements through expansion of its Media and Corporate Communication Department thereby transforming it into a centre of excellence.
He went further to extol the virtues of the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji whom he described as a man of vision with a quest for advancing science and technology in the country.
The new Director General appreciated the efforts of his predecessor and immediate past Director General and Chief Executive, Dr. Halilu Shaba for laying a formidable platform upon which subsequent developmental activities can thrive especially for the betterment of the space industry in the country.
Dr. Adepoju called for the collective support and dedication of the management and staff of the agency, urging them to be committed to the drive towards excellence and discipline, saying he is confident in NASRDA’s potential to achieve unprecedented highs under his leadership.
On their part, some directors and members of staff within the Agency took turns expressing their satisfaction with the appointment of Dr. Adepoju as the Agency’s helmsman, describing his appointment as a round peg in a round hole.
They also used the opportunity to press some demands that he promised to grant especially as it relates to the actualization of the Agency’s mandate. Dr Matthew Adepoju was before his appointment the Director Strategic and Space Applications Department of the Agency.
Joy Opaluwa
Media and Corporate Communications
