The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has commended the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) for its contributions towards the successful realization of Nigeria’s space programme and expressed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the Agency on border surveillance, immigration management and cybercriminals rehabilitation.
The Minister made this known during his visit to NASRDA Headquarters in Abuja, where he expressed excitement over the activities and performance of the Agency saying the appointment of Professor Matthew Adepoju as Director General of the Space Agency attests to the strategic foresight of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in placing right peg in the right hole.
According to him, industrialisation is impossible without space science and technology, and Nigeria must understand what needs to be done, build a value chain around and make NASRDA indispensable.
Dr Tunji-Ojo urged the management of the Agency to prioritise the commercialisation of its research findings by developing marketable products and identifying private sector partners, that would translate into tangible economic benefits for Nigerians.
The Minister applauded President Tinubu for approving the development of six satellites, describing it as one of the difficult but necessary decisions taken in the interest of national development.
While reacting to the proposal for collaboration, the Honourable Minister expressed the need to train and rehabilitate inmates involved in cybercrime-related offences, describing them as a waiting asset whose skills could be redirected towards productive activities.
He further identified border surveillance and immigration management as other areas where the Ministry could benefit from the Agency’s capabilities.
The Minister commended NASRDA’s graphene battery technology and encouraged the Agency to pursue its development into commercial quantities.
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, (NASRDA), Professor Matthew Olumide Adepoju, described the Minister as an embodiment of the Renewed Hope Agenda and thanked President Tinubu for appointing him to change the narrative in the Ministry of Interior.
Professor Adepoju commended the Minister for his efforts in improving passport issuance and approval processes, noting that the reforms had made the services more efficient and accessible to Nigerians.
According to him, the introduction of three-point agenda upon assumption of office was meant to provide the Agency with strategic direction to compete globally as well as to engage private sector with highly motivated staff.
Prof Adepoju while speaking on the forthcoming Africa Space Economy Innovation and Communication Conference (ASEICC), pointed out that the advancement of Space Economy is key to the development of the Agency.
In his contribution, the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr Felix Ale, appreciated the Minister for visiting the Agency, saying the management has drawn from his invaluable wealth of knowledge in industry development which can be highly beneficial to the Agency.
He also congratulated him for his various achievements since assumption of office, describing him as a pride to the great people of Akoko, Ondo state and Nigeria at large.
Below are pictures from the visit.
Reporter: Joy Opaluwa
Editor: Kaneng Dagyeng
Photo Credit: Ibrahim Zakari
Media and Corporate Communications
