Tech
NASRDA moves to promote Space Technology in S’East region
Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki
The National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, through its Southeast Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory (SE-ZASTAL) has commenced a turn-round space technology applications, promotion among the secondary schools in the region.
The Coordinator, SE-ZASTAL, Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Mr. Andrew Onwusulu made this known while declaring open a training outreach held for 442 students at the main hall, Federal Government College, Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi state.
Onwusulu said that the purpose of the training Is to boost creativeness of space technology and its innovations among Nigerian youths in the region.
According to him, “the space applications promotion outreach was part of activities designed for secondary students to sharpen their intellectual capability in science and technology innovations” tagged: “Capacity building for young minds: Benefits of Space and Technology Applications” will forever remain in the minds of the students participated in the training base on series of lectures sand skills benefited.”
The principal of the School, Mr. Frank O.A. Omale, in his opening address thanked the agency’s new DG, Dr Mathew Adepoju through the SE-ZASTAL coordinator, Mr. Onwusulu Andrew outlined the significant importance of the training as a means of expanding the knowledge of Space Science to the people at the grassroots.
Mr. Omale urged the students to be serious with their studies, describing it as a great opportunity for FGC, Okposi to be selected first, on the list of the schools mapped out for such training in the Southeast States.
In his remark, the Principal of the School, Mr Omale Frank observed that no nation can survive the present struggles without it’s adequate involvement in space technology and its innovations.
He therefore charged Science students to rededicate their time to deep reading and aligning with current trends in technology which he said remain very pivotal to the national development.
Other instructors who included; Chinedu Akarugwo focused on the Topic: Basic Space Science and Technology’ of SE-ZASTAL and Miss Precious Ugwu with the “Space Careers” and Agu John-Paul Okechukwu who taught on: ‘Understanding our environment thorough earth observation” all highlighted the impacts of Space Science researches and innovations in our environment.
During the training session, the students also had opportunities to access the SE-ZASTAL’s facilities to test just as they were also exposed to the activities of NASDRA in other States such as; The National Centre for Remote Sensing, Jos, Centre for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Enugu state. Centre for Atmospheric Research, Anyigba, Kogi State, Ile-Ife, Lagos among others.
Some of the students who shared their experiences after the lecture including an SSS2 student, Okorie Ifeanyichukwu Timothy described the training as “well-organized”, noting that it would stimulate students’ interest in the technical aspects of promotion and its applications.
Another student, Ogbonna Confidence urged the government to support teachers and researchers in the agency, expressing her willingness to take her time to visit the Agency’s headquarters and other NASRDA offices during holidays.
By, Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki
Ebonyi State commissioner for Aviation and transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, has said that the state government led by Francis Nwifuru is engaging necessary authorities and regulatory agencies that will give Chuba Okadigbo airport permission to start flying.
Obichukwu made this known while speaking with newsmen shortly after the independence anniversary celebration of Nigeria at 64 and creation of Ebonyi State at 28, that took place at the governor’s office, centenary city Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State.
She noted that the creation of Ebonyi State by the former head of state, late Sani Abachi brought greater development and progress to the people of the state.
“The birth of Ebonyi State has brought so many good dividends in the State. Ebonyi has been in Goodluck having good governors that their administrations have played for 28 years and I appreciate God for that. We are celebrating Economic development, social development, regional development, general administration and we are thankful to God and we appreciate Gov. Nwifuru.
“We are already engaging necessary authorities, regulations, and regulations that give us the permission. So right now, we have passed almost all their tests. We were waiting for the friction test and all the other tests that were needed and now by the Grace of God, we are getting through.
“I plead with Ebonyi people. Aviation is like a hospital, we are talking about safety of lives, it is not ordinary to buy and sell in the market so everything that needs to be done should be done in accurate regulations.
On the commencement of flight operation by the Chuba Okadigbo airport, Obichukwu said “it is the NCAA and FAN that will give an accurate date”.
Speaking on the amount spent by governor Francis Nwifuru on the rehabilitation of the Chuba Okadigbo’s airport, the commissioner said that it is not quantifiable and that there are other renovations going on at the airport.
“The runway cost N17 billion and we are happy that even the NCCA that came, applauded our Governor Nwifuru for a good job well done, after they measured the road , shoulder, everything around the runway was accurate and we are happy.
“So the funds spent are determined by the federal ministry of aviation quantity surveyors working on it. There are so many things that need to be done and we are hoping to get through it. On how to generate IGR, the commissioner said ” I am very sure of IGR. The airport is the catalyst to the economic development of any State.
“In the country we have 22 airport which 5 among them are international airports and Ebonyi is going to be one immediately we receive the license to start flying and looking at the strategy position of the airport, our catchment areas are not in doubt talk of ikom, Benue, kogi and Abia this are the areas we are hoping and is not only the human traffic we are talking of cargo airport in other to address the market flow of Ebonyi State.
“We are going to be linking with other countries and I have started receiving applications from Dubai so that they could be coming here to buy our produce and go back to their country. So the economic revival and boost cannot be emphasized once we commence flight operation” she stated.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar .
The Chairperson, Kenyan Women Engineers Committee, Nairobi, Jennifer Gache, has canvassed engineers’ inclusion in the country’s policy formulation process, so that the engineering sector can assist the nation achieve rapid development.
Gache made the advocacy during the dinner party organized by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN ) to host its Women Engineers across the continent of Africa in Càlabar.
Speaking on the theme; “Engineers Innovation and Energy Security for Sustainable Future”, Gache stressed that non-inclusion of engineers in policy formulation is responsible for failure in policy implementation in the area that bothers on engineering, a situation she said is retarding the sector.
“I am very, very well acquainted with women engineers in my country.
While advising women engineers to seek leadership positions in the government of Nigeria, Gache states that the positions will afford them the privilege to contribute their quota to the growth of the sector and the nation at large.
“You don’t make policies without engaging engineers. Engineers should also avail the opportunity to participate in policy process and implementation.
” You cannot call engineers when you have already done the design. No nation develops without engineers being involved.
“Engineers are wired with certain challenges that can be solved only by those in the profession.
“Just give them the privilege to gather together, speak in one voice, you will see that that problem in the sector will be solved without a hitch”. She maintained.
Also speaking at the event organized by Professional women engineers to round up the association’s 2024 international conference and Annual General Meeting AGM with the theme; Engineering Innovations and Energy Security for Sustainable Future,
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
A Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineer with specialty in Quality Management and Continuous improvement, Evi Viza, has called for enforcement of draconian measures and stiffer penalties against engineering companies who deviate from standard rules that lead to building collapse and system failure.
Viza made the call during the 2024 International Conference, Exhibition and Annual General (AGM ) which concluded yesterday in Càlabar.
The lead presenter who doubles as member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and fellow of Royal Society of Arts stated that stiffer penalties will discourage engineers and companies with intention to engage in Sub-standard jobs to avoid system failure.
Viza who is also a Program Leader, Quality Management University of Scotland and mentor to APWEN, identified causes of system failure and building collapse to include absence of proper risk management, health and safety skills among others.
“There are regulations with no penalties. For example if a building collapsed and you find out why it collapsed, and the person or company is pernalized, no contractor or engineer will evade regulation.
“Having the right skills, right suppliers, and making sure that those responsible for enforcement of the law perform their job without fear or favour will make those awarded contracts sit up.
The lead speaker averred that many of her Nigerian students had investigated cases of failed projects that ought to attract sanctions to erring contractors unfortunately nothing was done to the erring contractors.
Also speaking, chairperson Women Engineers Committee, Nairobi Kenya, Jannifer Gache, urged women engineers to seek leadership positions in government to use the opportunity to contribute to the development and growth of the sector.
…Creates Ministry of Energy and mineral resources
By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu, Enugu
The Enugu State Government is taking steps to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses as part of the efforts to preserve the environment and also make transportation affordable for citizens.
The state government has equally created the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to oversight and catalyse investment in the energy and mineral sector.
These were made known by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, and the Commissioner for Transportation, Obi Ozor, after a meeting of the State Executive Council at the weekend.
Briefing Government House correspondents after the meeting, Onyia said, “Recall that earlier in this administration, the governor signed the Enugu State Electricity Law and that Law requires that an independent regulator will be set up, but there will also will be a supervising ministry that will handle all our engagements in the energy space and also in our mineral resource space.
“Considering the level of mineral resources availability in Enugu State, the government had decided, at the end of EXCO today, to now create this Ministry and the mandate includes oversight of most of our investment opportunities within the solid mineral space and also to help catalyse investments in the energy space. EXCO resolved that this new Ministry would take effect immediately.”
On his part, Ozor said the state was not only introducing CNG buses, but also building the supporting infrastructure to ensure ease of operation and safety of commuters, noting that the government is also doing its part to not only invest more in buying CNG buses, but also to support private sector investment in the transportation space.
“The Executive Council resolved that it is very important for the state and her citizens to begin the process of transitioning from petrol to CNG which saves about half of the cost of fuel in our transportation, thereby reducing the cost of transportation for our people.
“All these are geared towards bringing a safe and affordable and sustainable transportation system. This ties into the infrastructure that is underway – the bus terminals, improved bus shelters, the internet of things and gadgets in these buses that will allow us to be able to know where our citizens are and make sure that they are safe from any incident.
“The state is also creating an enabling environment to attract the right investors within the CNG space and the state has already done that with partnership with Greenville Energy,” he stated.
He explained that the government was already constructing a massive CNG mother station at Ugwu Onyeama, which would have the capacity to serve the entire South East, adding that the construction of the ancillary daughter stations that would look like filling stations would commence in a matter of weeks.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The 16th president of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Adebisi Osim FNSE, has said that it is the responsibility of Engineers not only to identify innovative solutions but also to shape the future of energy systems in the country
In her remarks during the 2024 International Conference exhibition and annual general meeting of APWEN which took place at the Calabar International Conference Center (CICC) in Calabar, yesterday, with the theme; “Engineering Innovation and Energy Security for Sustainable Future”.
According to Osim, “we find ourselves at a critical juncture in our Nation’s history, where energy security is essential for driving sustainable economic growth and development”, noting that several people are faced with the energy crisis, and this cuts across different aspects of life.
She maintained that frequent power outages, high energy cost and lack of access to reliable electricity in many parts of the country have hindered progress, stating that it is time for Engineers to come together and address the issue with all seriousness.
Osim averred that the development of smart grids and energy – efficient technologies will ensure that they use their resources responsibly while reducing the carbon footprint, while viewing the need for policies that would encourage public – private partnerships to invest in clean and sustainable energy projects.
Earlier in her speech, chairman of the occasion and first female president, Nigeria society of engineers, Engineer Margaret Aina- Ogunlana represented by vice president, Corporate services, engineer Felicia Agubata urged participants to share ideas that can lead to a turn around in the industry
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