Nigeria needs new satellite to tackle security challenges, says Audu Ogbeh
Former Minister of Agriculture and chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Dr Audu Ogbeh, on Friday, November 10, said that given the current security challenges in the country, Nigeria would need a new communication satellite to tackle activities that could further undermine the nation’s peace and security.
Ogbeh said Nigeria’s future would be at risk if the country by its land mass and population failed to have military/security satellites capable of monitoring strange activities within the country and at the borders with a view to ensure the safety and security of the country.
He made the remarks as a guest speaker at the Destination Hotels and Suites, Abuja, during the launch of three new Solutions and Services by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat).
The products/solutions are broadband services using Ka, Ku and C bands, broadcasting Services designed to empower Satellite TV Operators and Direct-To-Home (DTH) platforms for navigation, transponder leasing and mobile backhaul.
Ogbeh who was minister of communications during the time of late President Shehu Shagari said: “The time has come for Nigeria to think of another Satellite in orbit just like the European has the Europe Eyes and Americans have four different Satellites in Space to monitor global activities.
“From Badagry in Lagos to Yola in Adamawa and Yenogoa in Bayelsa, we have about 4,076km land mass and borders. We need to enhance our security systems by having Satellite communications for military and security agencies. I understand 20,000 children are born daily in Nigeria which is about 600,000 a month and 7 million a year.
“We need security people to have Satellite means to monitor our borders and monitor activities within the country 24/7, otherwise the future of our country would be at risk going by the land mass and population.”
Ogbeh urged NigComSat to lobby the National Assembly and the Presidency to raise funds for the purpose of acquiring the new Satellite for the country, asserting that the military and security agencies should also be fully involved in the project.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NigComSat, Jane Nkechi Egerton said the products were launched to show the commitment of NigComSat towards efficient and effective service delivery to its customers and stakeholders.
Egerton said: “In addition to our revitalised traditional services, we are thrilled to introduce our latest value-adding Service. Today, we showcase how we can bundle EdTech solutions with broadband to serve schools.
“By providing schools with a bundled solution, access to affordable, reliable Internet connectivity, and leveraging EdTech resources and interventions designed in alignment with the Nigerian Curriculum, a more equitable and effective education can be achieved.”
Egerton further noted that digital libraries for secondary schools with Artificial intelligence-powered solutions, cloud-based learning content and content creation for teachers, and learning management systems are all incorporated in the solutions provided by NigComSat.
