Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the Federal Government to ensure policies are effectively implemented for Nigeria's development.
Obasanjo advised the eighth Retired Brig.-Gen. Ogbonna Agu Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony, organised by the Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers (NISE) in Abuja on Saturday.
The theme of the lecture titled "Nigeria's 21 Years in Space: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects".
The former president noted that many policies, particularly in the area of space technology, remained unimplemented and unexecuted.
"It is not enough to have good policies and Nigeria is not in short supply of good policies. In fact, go to our archives, it is a burial ground of unexecuted policies and therefore we are where we should not be.
"What I am trying to say is that it is not enough to have a policy. It is not enough to even have a good statement like the one my sister had made.
"We are not short of policies in this country. If you go to the archives, our archives are full of policies. But there are many dead policies, unimplemented policies, unexecuted policies.
"And therefore, we are where we should not have been. Those who have made progress have not done it on wishes but active to make progress," Obasanjo said.
According to him, the country cannot be involved in areas of national life, but areas where necessary government should ensure full implementation.
Obasanjo said the space programme from conception had launched series of satellites in a sequential pattern by both Chinese and Nigerian engineers and empower Nigeria engineers to take full control after the launch of the second satellite.
"The programme we had for the space programmr when we established this centre, if it was followed by now, Nigeria would have launched many satellites.
"We had everything put in place to launch different satellites. It was not just a programme but implementation started. I went to china and saw them.
"The idea was after the first and second by Nigeria and Chinese engineers, the third will be launched by only Nigerian engineers but that did not happen.
Dr Mathew Adepoju, the Director-General of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), said the Federal Government had approved four new satellites for National Space and Satellite Programme.
"Among these satellites, we have three optical satellites and we have one synthetic and partial random satellite."
Adepoju, who said he intended to achieve three pillars for the agency, said they included transformation, staff strengthen and private sector driven to boost the space development in the country.
According to him, government alone cannot drive National Space Programme that is why the private sector involvement is highly needed.
"We shall open the space for active participation of private sector in Nigeria's space ecosystem," Adepoju said.
In his remarks, Dr Umar Abdullahi, the National Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers, said there were setbacks related to satellite lifespan, funding limitations, policy inconsistencies and lack of manufacturing capacities.
"These challenges have tested our resilience and raised important questions about the sustainability of space programme.
" Our journey in space has always been about more than technological success. it is about solving real world problems, combating flooding, enhancing food security, monitoring environmental changes and improving national security.
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"Satellites have given us tools to understand our world and address societal challenges," he said.
The Director of Research, NASRDA, Prof. Rabiu Babatunde, said the way forward in addressing the challenges has to do with replacement of space assets- new satellites constellation reviewed road map, strategic international partnership, commercialisation of Research Outputs
He said others included the development of Industrial engineering and inventions complex, establish space technology and innovation fund as well as space economic paradigm shift- Public Private Partnership.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was among 10 people who were given awards for their immense contribution to space technology development.
