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Cutting of the cake during the ceremony!

On July 30, 2009 NASRDA marked its 10 years of existence as a National Space Research & Development Agency, with mandate for the implementation of the Nigeria National Space Policies and Programmes.

The milestone event was attended by several eminent Nigerians, representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Members of the National Assembly, Permanent Secretaries from various Ministries, Director Generals & Chief Executives of parastals, Political Leaders, Space Scholars, Space Technology Consultants,Natioanl Security Personnel, Engineers and Scientists representing various public and private sectors, and many special invited guests and stakeholders.

According to the DG/CE NASRDA, Dr. S.O. Mohammed, the day's activities were aimed at briefly presenting the "journey so far and the plans for the future, laying special emphasis on the benefit of space technology to Nigeria as a country and the generality of the people." Three major presentations were made to commemorate the occassion.

• "Ten Years in Space - the journey so far and future plan." by Dr. S.O. Mohammed, DG/CE NASRDA

• "Nigeria in the Space Age" by Dr.Adigun Ade ABIODUN, Consultant to Nigeria National Space Programmes

• "Failure and Risk Management in Space Projects" by Luis Gomes, Head of Earth Observation Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, presented by Presented by Meryl Lambert NigeriaSat-2 Project Manager, also from Surrey Satellite Technology Limited

Former Honourable Ministers of Science & Technology, Consultants, Programmes collaborating partners, selected former staff and current employees of the Agency were presented with various awards for their contributions to the success of the Agency achievments.

In his welcome address, the DG/CE of NASRDA, Dr. S. O. Mohammed, reiterated NASRDA's committement to the implementation of the Agency's roadmap for achieving new heights of technological advancement and for contributing meaningfully to the sustainable development of Nigeria. Dr. Mohammed also used the occassion to express the Agency's gratitutes for the unflinching moral support and guidiance of all the stakeholders,including both past and present government administrations, whose hard work, vision and committement led to the creation of the Agency and sustainance of the implementation of the National Space Programmes & Policies and as well as for its success so far. (You can view the DG's opening remarks here.) [pdf

In his address on the occassion, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), Alhaji Ahmed Yayale, CFR, reminded the audience and the nation that the "government’s initial investment in earth observation and communication satellites is not accidental but a strategic and calculated attempt to challenge our scientists and engineers to use technology to accelerate our economic growth, well-being and development." While assuring government full support of all approved programmes, the SGF reiterated the Government committement to "ensure that the second earth observation satellite, -Nigeriasat 2-, is launched as scheduled in order to ensure continuity in service delivery." In closing, the SGF challenge the Agency to re-focus its strategies, deepen and widen its productive capacities and make breakthroughs for Nigeria" (SGF's Speech full text)[pdf

A keynote address was also delivered by the representative of the Honourable Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Alhassan Zaku. In his speech, Honourable Minister enjoins Nigeria as follows: "When we think of the many space-based solutions to human problems and challenges,we cannot but acknowledge the need for Nigeria to join the space age in order to be able to deploy space application techniques for our socio-economic development." (Minister's Speech full text)[pdf