News

Nigeria ready to send astronauts into space, says minister

Published

4 months ago

June 21, 2024

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has said Nigeria will soon go into space.

He spoke at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), Delaware, United States, on human space flight.

Nnaji said: “I will like to welcome our friends from SERA. Your aspiration to democratise space exploration and exploitation for countries is noble.

“Human space flight has been a key objective for our nation. National Space Policy and Programme (NSPP), approved by Federal Executive Council in 2001 identifies human space flight as one of its three pillars.

“According to the 25-year roadmap approved in 2005 for implementation of NSPP, our first human space flight was scheduled for 2018. This means we are six years behind.

“In an effort to correct past delays and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, we have revitalised Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and its parastatals since I assumed office. The signing of this MoU is a testament to our efforts in the past months. As part of this mission, SERA has reserved six seats on an upcoming New Shepard launch. This initiative will see six individuals (from six countries, including Nigeria), potentially becoming the first astronauts from their countries.”

Director General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, said: “We pride ourselves as the premier space agency in Africa. This is not a mere statement. When the agency was established on May 8, 1999, not many nations in Africa could dream of having a space programme. We are today the only space agency in Africa, whose activities cover the whole chain of the space eco-system. We have a strong footprint in outer space exploration and exploitation, and leading in remote sensing. Our activities in launch vehicle development can also not be matched by any country in Africa.”

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Asanye, said: “I am delighted to be part of this history making event. I do not know how to say thank you, Ann Agi, the director of Learn Space Foundation. What we learned this morning was that they were in a conference where they needed six people to be in space, and she was able to make a case for Nigeria.”

SERA co-founders, Joshua Skurla and Sam Hutchison, said: “This is a milestone moment in development of our university. We have built a human spaceflight programme in partnership with Newport, to promote access to space, and we are building this by way of a programme in other countries that had previously no access to space.”

News

Deputy Speaker Mourns New Telegraph Photojournalist, Liberty TV reporter

Published

44 seconds ago

October 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has expressed sadness over the demise of Mr. Elijah Olaluyi, a photojournalist with the New Telegraph Newspapers.

Until his death on Thursday evening, Olaluyi covered the activities of the House of Representatives with zest and professional integrity.

Kalu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, extended his sincerest condolences to Olaluyi’s family, the publishers of New Telegraph, the House of Representatives Press Corps (HoRPC) and the entire membership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) where the deceased belonged to as a member.

The Deputy Speaker recalled that Olaluyi practiced his career with utmost decency, displaying unassailable photographic skills, guided by the fine ethos and ethics of journalism profession.

According to him, Olaluyi, having covered the parliament for since 1999 had acquired institutional memory while documenting the House proceedings pictorially.

Kalu said that Olaluyi will be greatly missed by his family, colleagues and all who knew him.

He however said that the photojournalist will be remembered by the string of legacies he left behind.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker also commiserated with the Senate Press Corps over the death of Malam Mohammed Adamu, a reporter with Liberty Radio and Television who passed on early hours of Wednesday.

While praying God to give the families and the people who knew them the fortitude to bear these irreparable losses, Kalu also asked for the repose of the souls of the departed.

News

Despite Sinwar’s death, the war is yet to come to an end-Israeli PM

Published

39 mins ago

October 18, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Killing Yahya Sinwar is Israel’s biggest victory so far in the war against Hamas in Gaza.

His death is a serious blow for Hamas, the organisation he turned into a fighting force that inflicted the biggest defeat on the state of Israel in its history.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, praised the soldiers and made clear that however big a victory, it was not the end of the war.

The remaining hostages are not free and Hamas is fighting and sometimes killing Israeli troops.

A year of war has killed at least 42,000 Palestinians and left much of Gaza in ruins

Source: bbc.com

News

NUJ FCT Council Elections: Group Calls for Fair and Transparent Process

Published

57 mins ago

October 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Ahead of the inauguration of the Credentials Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council on Saturday, 19th October 2024, which is expected to oversee the election of a new leadership, an advocate group under the auspices of Make A Difference Initiative (MAD) has called for a level playing field to ensure a peaceful transition.

The group, known for promoting justice and equity, has urged journalists in Abuja to set an example for the political class by conducting elections free from manipulation, rancour, or crisis.

According to the group, this can only be achieved through a leadership committed to the collective good of the union, protecting members’ interests, and resisting undue influence from self-serving individuals or groups.

In a statement signed by Executive Director of MAD Initiative, Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe, the group placed the responsibility of ensuring a fair electoral process on the incumbent chairman, Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen, and his executive team.

He therefore urged them to create a conducive environment that allows all aspirants and voting members to participate freely and without intimidation.

“It is our hope that Osadebamwen will seize this opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by managing the process with transparency, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the union’s values”, the statement read.

MAD Initiative also called on the NUJ National President, Comrade Christopher Ikechukwu Isiguzo, to closely monitor the process and offer timely guidance to the FCT Council leadership if necessary.

The group concluded by expressing its hope for a smooth, peaceful transition that reflects the true will of the union’s members.

The NUJ FCT Council election is seen as an important opportunity for journalists in the nation’s capital to demonstrate that credible elections are possible, even in challenging environments.