GOODWILL MESSAGE BY SENATOR ANYIM PIUS
ANYIM, GCON, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL
AND STRATEGIC STUDIES (CISS) ON THE OCCASION
OF THE OPENING CEREMONY OF NASRDA/CISS
NATIONAL GRASSROOT POLICY AWARENESS
SEMINAR AT HILL STATION HOTEL, JOS, ON
FEBRUARY 15, 2005.
PROTOCOL
One of the great gifts in man’s possession which cannot be taken away is the ability to explore nature in all its vastness and complexities. In this process, man, of necessity, leaves his own domain behind. He projects and launches himself into other worlds and other domains.
This, quite obviously, is what Nigeria has done with the impressive NigeriaSat-1. Thus, Nigeria has set up a station in outer space, creating a new frontier different from her own natural domain – the earth.
On a personal level, therefore, it should not come as a surprise to anyone of you, ladies and gentlemen, that I have left the domain of politics and law to sojourn in the domain of science and technology today.
I am simply obeying the natural call that compels man to explore. And I can assure you that I explore for the singular benefit of humanity. In this particular instance, my trusty spaceship is the CISS – Centre for International and Strategic Studies. were | Save as the Vice-Chorisman I have little doubt in my mind that the launch of NigeriaSat-I ranks as one of the great watersheds in the technological advancement of this country. It is a significant breakthrough in the short but active history of space application and space technology development in Nigeria.
In a world that has become highly intellectually interdependent, it is easy to see how the right data at the right time can lead to good decision making. This will in turn translate into good and elective governance. My excitement therefore is that I see a window in Nigeria Sat Project. A window for the enhancement of good governance in Nigeria. The need for timely and accurate data in National development cannot be overemphasized. It is necessary for planning: planning for education, investment, Communicadi Defoner, census and strategic development.
You may wish to know that it is also necessary for planning for registration of voters. Accordingly, the application of reliable space-derived data has been shown time and time again to be indispensable in addressing numerous socio-economic problems. It has also been demonstrated that issues connected with sustainable development are best resolved with bankable data. I have every confidence that the product of the work of NigeriaSat-1 will contribute immeasurably to this end.
Let all of us, individually and collectively, rise to the challenge of information-driven development, not just on a national but on an international scale. Let institutions, both public and private, rise to this challenge. To rise to this challenge is to give NASRDA/CISS the necessary support to continue their marvellous work. It is to encourage them to boldly go where no other Nigerian institution has gone before. It is to challenge them to compete with the very best in the world. And it is to stimulate them to conquer and return the spoils of their conquest to the general benefit of Nigerians.
Let me observe, in conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, that regardless of what those of us at the top know, how expansive our knowledge is, how farsighted we are on all subjects that affect mankind, these will ultimately be futile if there is no direct connection from the top echelon to the grassroots.
The measure of any society is the awareness and welfare of its populace. I believe that this is the task which NASRDA/CISS have dedicated themselves to tackling in today’s seminar. In that endeavour, I wish them great success from the deepest recesses of my soul.
Thank you and God Bless.