Why government is developing space science, by Onu

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has said the Federal Government’s interest in developing astronomy and space science was for the nation to aspire for technological development.

Speaking at Nsukka, Enugu State, during the commissioning of Astronomy Observatory Complex of the Centre for Basic Space Science (CBSS), Onu said the Federal Government was poised to make Nigeria a force to reckon with in the global community in terms of astronomy and space science research.

He said oil alone would not sustain the economy, stressing that several opportunities also exist in space science.

“Mobile phones will not be possible without space science. It is also relevant in the field of telemedicine … That is why the Federal Government is poised to take Nigeria to the next level in terms of scientific research, human capital and socio-economic development,” he said.

Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NSRDA), Prof. Onailo Mohammed, said CBSS had conducted several researchers in the study of the Cosmos, galaxies, the solar system and near earth objects among others adding that it had continued to play key role in the promotion of Astronomy in West African sub region.