The Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice on the occasion of the forthcoming second anniversary of the 8th Senate, has said that for him, it is not a time for celebration.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, made h=this known on Wednesday while addressing the Senate Press Corp.
His words: “As you are aware, the 8th Senate will mark its second year anniversary in few days time. For me, it is not the time for celebration, but the time for reflection. It is the time to reflect on the activities of the last two years.It is the time to review the successes and challenges of the last two years. It is also the time to rededicate myself to my tradition of delivering quality representation to the good people of Ondo North Senatorial district.
“It is the time to review the successes and challenges of the last two years. It is also the time to rededicate myself to my tradition of delivering quality representation to the good people of Ondo North Senatorial district.
“In the first half of the 8th Senate, I have sponsored about five Bills and four of them are at various stages of legislation. The Bills are the Presidential Transition Bill, the Nigerian Council for Food Science and Technology (Est.etc) Bill, the Unclaimed Funds Bill, the Private Investigator Bill and the Defence Space Administration Bill.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Bill on Defence Space Administration attract a special mention because it has not only gone through all the stages of legislation, it has also been assented to by His Excellency, the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo GCON. The Bill was passed by the 8th Senate and it was assented to by the Executive on the 7th of February, 2017.
“On the successful passage of the Defence Space Administration Bill, I wish to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts, contributions and supports of the President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the principal officers of the Senate and all my distinguished colleagues in the 8th Senate.
“Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to also hail the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the admirable attention and swiftness it accorded the Defence Space Administration Bill. It showed the APC-led Federal Government is determined to implement the Defence and Security aspects of the National Space Policy.”
The Senator further noted that basically, the Defence Space Administration Act establishes the Defence Space Administration, develop satellite technology and ensures the security of the nation’s cyber activities.
He observed that the establishment of the DSA has enabled the Nigerian military to have an institutional framework, within which to exploit space science and technology, in pursuing its objectives, particularly in the war against insurgency in the North East geo-political zone.
“It has also empowered the military to launch drones which are part of standard military operations in managing warfare. Launching of drones come with the advantage reduced number of foot soldiers and casualties. It also has the advantage of exactness and precision in the area of targeting.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you may wish to note that the DSA will develop and operate Military Space Technologies.
“The DSA will support Nigerian Military operations both within and outside the country as well as Security Agencies responsible for internal security through the use of satellites.
“The DSA will provide space support for the launching of satellites and another high-value payload into Space using a variety of expandable launch vehicles and be operating those satellites once in the medium of Space.
“The DSA will also expand the knowledge of Military Officers and men, security and other personnel in the Space Science Technology Development and Management, thereby strengthening human resources development required for the implementation of defence space programmes. It is noteworthy that the benefits of the DSA are too numerous to mention.
“Recently, top government officials were quoted to have said the Federal Government has decimated the Boko Haram sect. I do agree with them. However, with the establishment of DSA, the Nation has moved a step closer towards defeating the sect.
“For Nigerians who genuinely seek to understand why the establishment of the DSA is necessary and important despite the existence of the National Space Development and Research Agency (NASRDA), the medicine to cure your curiosity is simple.
“When I was appointed Coordinating Director for Science in the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in 1992, the main focus of my job was on Biotechnology, Information and Communication Technology and Space Science and Technology. Being conversant and versed with emerging technologies around the world, I played central role in establishing the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
“Ladies and gentlemen, I can confirm to you that most countries have a Defence Space Command. There are certain things Space Commands do, that should not be in the public domain. They are part of the intelligence community. When you set out to track down insurgents and terrorists, that information should be restricted to the Nigerian military, which already operates in secrecy. What we have done is to give the military its own institutional framework.
“In fact, the traditional space agency, which is a member of the United Nations Committee On The Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPOUS), cannot do what a military Space Agency is mandated to do.
“As a scientist, permit me to use this medium to call for improved funding for Science, Technology and Innovation in Nigeria. I have been asked about the roles of Science and Technology in Nation’s building several times. My opinion is simple. Without adequate funding of science and technological innovations, Nigeria will not make much progress as a Nation. Whatever problem you want to solve is related to science and technology. South Korea, Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore were all facing the problems we have but when they started funding science and technology, they moved forward.
“If we fail to provide adequate funding for the sector, we will continue to be a consumer of imported science equipments from other countries, which is why we still import everything we use in this country.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that a lot has changed about the Nigerian Senate. With the opening of the budget, I hope many Nigerians will now understand that senators do not get N100million as monthly salaries. You can talk about transparency. You can talk about the economic and infrastructure bills the 8th Senate have passed. You can talk about the cordial relationship that exists between the Executive and the Legislature. There has been a remarkable improvement.
“I wish to urge the Executive to accord the same level of agreeable consideration and swiftness it accorded the Defence Space Administration Bill to all other communications from the Senate. This is critical to cement smooth working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.
“On a conclusive note, I wish to encourage distinguished members of the fourth estate of the realm, the media, to focus more on the positive interventions of the 8th Senate and its members. It appeared too much space was given to controversies and distractions in the first half of the 8th Senate. As patriots, we owe our country the duty to always promote issues that will defend her unity and also uphold her honour and glory.”
