jeff juwana
Moderator
According to the Director-General of National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, Prof. Seidu Onailo Mohammed, Communication Satellite, which include Satellite Television, Satellite radio and broadband is contributing hugely to the economy of Nigeria by remitting about $90 billion in 2011.
During a lecture on Communication Satellite in Commemoration of the Launch of the first Communication Satellite in Nigeria organized by NASRDA in Abuja, Professor Mohammed said that about $16 billion revenue also accrued to the industry in the same year. He stated that the Communication Satellite industry is a viable industry that offers huge return on investment; thus, he urged both government and private sector investor to tap into the industry.
He said that the launch of Syncom” in July 26, 1963, symbolized the beginning of technological revolutions across the globe through the application of Space Science Technology.
‘‘As scientists, research organizations and Nigerians, this historic occasion is unique to us in several ways, following various landmark experiments carried out after its successful launch.
‘‘Ladies and gentlemen, it will interest you that it is exactly fifty years today, when the historic telephone conversation between the then American president John Kennedy and Nigerian Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was recorded through Syncom2 Satellite,’’ he said.
For him, the conversation between the two leaders was more than a phone call, noting that it was the first two way call across the Atlantic between Heads of State via satellite in global history.
It was reported that the two leaders in their conversations, exchanged pleasantries, briefly mentioned the nuclear weapon’s test ban treaty which was signed that year and spoke on a boxing match in which Nigerian middle weight boxer, late Dick Tiger had retained his title against an American.
According to him, there are approximately 1,107 Satellite providing civilians communication and another 792 supporting military communications, some seven hundred of them are in geosynchronous orbit.
He called on the private sector show commitment in using Communication Satellite, since the international telecommunications are increasingly competitive in the global markets with rapid changes to technological capacities.
‘‘it is note worthy that the Economic Intelligence Unit in the United States published that in 2012 alone, Nigeria lost in call drops that could have been avoided and remedied by modern communication Satellites.
‘‘Nigeria’s involvement in this experimental exercise was not a mere con-incidence or share luck in recognition of our unique and strategic positions as a people.
‘‘The Nigerian Space programme is not only in tandem with the dream and inspiration of our forefathers but it is also in fulfilment of the role expected of us as a nation as a key player in global affairs.
‘‘It is in recognition of this fact that, the National Space Research and Development Agency has continued to keep faith with destiny and recall with nostalgia the 1063 event and sees the unique experience as a challenge to transforming the Nigerian Space agenda into realities,’’ he stated.
During a lecture on Communication Satellite in Commemoration of the Launch of the first Communication Satellite in Nigeria organized by NASRDA in Abuja, Professor Mohammed said that about $16 billion revenue also accrued to the industry in the same year. He stated that the Communication Satellite industry is a viable industry that offers huge return on investment; thus, he urged both government and private sector investor to tap into the industry.
He said that the launch of Syncom” in July 26, 1963, symbolized the beginning of technological revolutions across the globe through the application of Space Science Technology.
‘‘As scientists, research organizations and Nigerians, this historic occasion is unique to us in several ways, following various landmark experiments carried out after its successful launch.
‘‘Ladies and gentlemen, it will interest you that it is exactly fifty years today, when the historic telephone conversation between the then American president John Kennedy and Nigerian Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was recorded through Syncom2 Satellite,’’ he said.
For him, the conversation between the two leaders was more than a phone call, noting that it was the first two way call across the Atlantic between Heads of State via satellite in global history.
It was reported that the two leaders in their conversations, exchanged pleasantries, briefly mentioned the nuclear weapon’s test ban treaty which was signed that year and spoke on a boxing match in which Nigerian middle weight boxer, late Dick Tiger had retained his title against an American.
According to him, there are approximately 1,107 Satellite providing civilians communication and another 792 supporting military communications, some seven hundred of them are in geosynchronous orbit.
He called on the private sector show commitment in using Communication Satellite, since the international telecommunications are increasingly competitive in the global markets with rapid changes to technological capacities.
‘‘it is note worthy that the Economic Intelligence Unit in the United States published that in 2012 alone, Nigeria lost in call drops that could have been avoided and remedied by modern communication Satellites.
‘‘Nigeria’s involvement in this experimental exercise was not a mere con-incidence or share luck in recognition of our unique and strategic positions as a people.
‘‘The Nigerian Space programme is not only in tandem with the dream and inspiration of our forefathers but it is also in fulfilment of the role expected of us as a nation as a key player in global affairs.
‘‘It is in recognition of this fact that, the National Space Research and Development Agency has continued to keep faith with destiny and recall with nostalgia the 1063 event and sees the unique experience as a challenge to transforming the Nigerian Space agenda into realities,’’ he stated.