Lere Ojedokun
29 July 2005
Abuja — PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo said yesterday that the Federal Government was working on a programme that would see Nigerians land in space between the next 15 and 25 years.
"It is not as unattainable as it looks, and we have to do it. If we are going to make progress, we are going to make it on the basis of commitment, service and sacrifice," he stated.
Receiving in audience the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), who paid him a courtesy visit at the State House, Abuja, President Obasanjo declared that the administration was determined to see that the country did not lag behind in development.
"In 15 to 25 years, we will put Nigerians into space. We will get there and we are not going to be found wanting," he added.
Emphasising that industrialisation was inevitable if the desired rapid development was to be achieved, the President urged that it was time admission seekers applied for courses with direct impact on national growth.
He further said that those who could acquire practical courses should not hesitate to do so while calling on universities to re-direct their curriculum.
While maintaining that "we must consistently and cumulatively industrialise," President Obasanjo pointed out that it was equally important to develop the infrastructure.
"Whether it is in terms of road, rail, energy or water, these are non-negotiable," he noted, saying that due to limited resources, it may not however be possible to do everything at the same time and speed.
President Obasanjo tasked Nigerians living overseas that they have a greater stake in the future of their fatherland because no matter what they have achieved outside, home offered them the best opportunity.
Earlier, NIDO leader, Prof. Barth Nnaji, had informed that the group was going to invest in areas such as Information Communication Technology (ICT), engineering, infrastructure, space and nuclear technology, agriculture, biotechnology and health.
Prof. Nnaji also announced that a medical project on sickle cell eradication would be initiated by the group before the end of next year.
"We have a project to cure sickle cell disease. In 2006, we will start the process to collaborate in order to cure this disease. Nigeria has the highest percentage of people with sickle cell anaemia," he said.
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