Nigeria To Launch First Locally Made Satellite Into Space By 2018 – Minister

The Minister of Science and
Technology, Abdu Bulama,
Monday, said Nigeria, in a bid to
hasten the pace of socio-
economic development, would
launch its first "made-in-
Nigeria" satellite by 2018.
Mr. Bulama said in Abuja that
science and technology would fast
track the Federal Government's
transformation agenda and sustain
the growth of national economy.
"The African economy, I believe in
the last couple of years, has shown a
remarkable sign of growth; but this
growth is unfortunately more of
community drive, not of the
manufacturing sector.
"For this growth to be sustained and
for it to be transformed into a real
national transformation agenda for
the development of the nation it
must be productivity-based;
productivity aspect must come in.
"And the only way you can do that is
to develop your time and
technology, to apply science and
technology in your economy.
"Such that the economy, while
growing, the productivity of the
manufacturer will have played a key
role. This is what is happening in
developed societies".
The minister said the ministry would
play role of an effective strategist
and coordinator of all the research
and development activities in the
country.
"By this, Nigeria in the nearest
future will be an acknowledged
member of the fast developing
scientific and technologically
progressive nations of the world",
he said.
He said the ministry had excelled in
the production of made -in-Nigeria
tricycles, curtailing of
trypanosomiasis, design and
fabrication of interlocking blocks
and launching of road safety
guidelines among others.
Mr. Bulama added that the effort to
partner international bodies to
complete the science and
technology park at SHESTCO was
on-going.

Posted By David Aniemeka