Vanguard (Lagos)
26 December 2008
I JUST read an opinion that tried to justify the recent loss of a Nigerian communications satellite and supports the government's continuance of the satellite programme in the Vanguard of 18th December 2008. I have read other similar opinions, including the one by Prof Borofice, the NIGCOMSAT DG. There have also been some opposing views.
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The project- NIGERIASAT-1 and NIGCOMSAT are just political drum to showcase Nigeria as belonging to the club of nations that own satellites, and a boost to the artificial international image-making that Nigeria is trying to play and manage for itself. It is simply a house whose foundation is built on sand. What Nigeria needs is flexibility of utilizing satellite systems already in operation, learn from thier pitfall, take advantage of the competition and wait for when we are in the best position to start the "drum". I think it best that this bureaucratic academic foundation called National Space Research and Development Agency be scraped or totally reformed.