A Professor of Communication and Satellite Technology from the University of Ilorin, Professor Tunji Ibiyemi on Friday described the federal government’s mission to transform Nigeria into one of the top economies by the year 2020 as a “mirage”.
Ibiyemi, who was speaking during the 50th anniversary lecture in commemoration of the launch of the first communication satellite, claimed that to achieve the mission, the federal government must increase funding for space research and technological development
He said Nigeria can attain true transformation when the nation’s natural resources are harnessed for developmental purposes.
He added that Nigeria needs to do more in consolidating on the gains of communication technology.
The Director General of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Professor Seidu Mohammed expressed optimism, claiming that Nigeria’s prospect in achieving technological development is very bright particularly with the increased number of the global population.
The launch of SYNCOM-2 in July 1963 symbolised the beginning of technological revolutions across the globe through the application of space science and technology.
SYNCOM-2 was used to record the historic telephone conversation between the former American President John Kennedy and then Nigeria’s Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
