Effective communication of Space technology research and its awareness to the public will ease incessant lapses of insecurity and environmental hazards with adequate support by the government at all levels, as well give our economy right direction.
The Director, Africa Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ACCAI), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Mrs Francisca Okeke, made this plea at the opening address at NASRDA- Centre for Basic Space Science; Nsukka while leading the Students, research team and the department of Physics and Astronomy to the Centre on “Research Partnership with Space Centre on new method of approaching environmental hazard” on Tuesday last week.
Prof. Mrs. Francisca Okeke, explained that aim and objectives of Climate Change and Adaptation research innovators and hub for knowledge generation on climate change in Africa continent. To that effect, there is every need to build on the initial method using to be combating the environmental hazard such as flood, rain prediction in safeguarding life and properties in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Prof. Okeke observed that the her office would do everything possible that younger generation are well expose to the awareness and the fundamental research tool in assisting members of the society particularly the farmers at various communities to ensure that adequate information is disseminate both in and outside the university.
She asserted that: it is only through scientific research and its innovation that Nigeria could become a great nation also enviable to others in Africa. Responding, the Director of the Centre Dr Bonaventure Okere, thanked the team for making solid efforts in responding to the need of
Africa; he therefore, announced to them that Centre had received modern equipment to make data collection easier for the undergraduate and graduate students’ project work to be stronger for any challenge in the research village.
Dr Okere, described the University of Nigeria as “pace setter” in production of quality graduates for research knowledge that have intellectual abilities to compete with their counterparts in other countries of the world, this had made the Centre to situated in the town, to assist the students and the research.
This, as the Director said, would help the students and the researchers grow from strength to strength in their academic prowess, while tasking them to use their talents in research to uplift the country. Accessing the Centre’s equipment, Prof Okeke contented with fact that NASRDA is making a giant stride in external space Research and development.
She, however, expressed gratitude to the Agency’s Director General Prof S.O Mohammed and Centre’s director for their massive support to the researchers which she described as ‘proper exigency’ way of promoting intellectualism.
Okeke added that the Centre has recorded numerous outstanding achievements both technology innovation, Space research and international linkages since its inception, she urged the government at all levels to create time on developing their youth in the aspect
space technological.
By doing this, there would be improvement on local and international economy, that would add value to the research knowledge at the centre as well generate massive employment for unemployed youths, Prof Mrs Okeke concluded.
Parts of the team missions are to harmonise their research work with their counterparts in Africa all over. This tactic, as they said, would assist them address the emergency havoc of flood like July and October 2012, flooding in Nigeria that submerged hundreds of thousands of houses, valuable property including farm land.
It will be recalled that the research Centre in collaboration with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, held an international conference in October 31st 2016 tagged: “Nowhere to Run: Nigeria’s Climate and environmental Crisis” at the Princess Alexandra Hall of the University as part of war against occurrence in weather.
