The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited has began its maiden editor of the Nigerian Satellite Week, The event which kick-starts with a press interaction Wednesday, October 16th in Abuja, aims to highlight the importance of satellite technology in driving innovation, connectivity, and economic growth in Nigeria and across the African region.
Speaking at the press conference, the MD/CEO, NIGCOMSAT Limited, Mrs ane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT Ltd., expresses her enthusiasm for the event and its potentials to advance Nigeria’s position in the global satellite market.
According to her, the major challenge faced by NigComSat is lack of awareness of its value and products by Nigerians, adding that: “One of the biggest challenges we face; a lot of people are not even aware of our product, our services, what a satellite can do, how it can impact our economy. And that becomes a challenge. If you’re not aware, you cannot use.”
She explained that there is an Executive Order mandating government agencies and institutions to patronise NigComSat. But she wondered why it is not being enforced. She said she’s hopeful both government and private business owners will tap into potentials of the industry.
While highlighting the achievements of NIGCOMSAT since she took over office 1year ago, she said they have parrnered different agencies of Government especially in the area of security. She identified the Nigerian Army has one major usee of their expertise in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
The MD added that the Nigerian Satellite Week will serve as a platform for stakeholders, industry leaders, and innovators to come together, share insights, and explore the future of satellite technology in various sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, and telecommunications.
Also speaking at the media interaction, the Director General, Regional African Satellite Communication Organisation (RASCOM), Adi Ashong, has urged African countries to promote the pan-African dream of founding fathers and patronise the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigComSat) rather than patronising vendors outside Africa.
According to Ashong, RASCOM has put in place modalities for African countries to market African Satellite technology.
“One of the strategies that RASCOM has put in place is to empower and also be able to market African satellite operators and NIGCOMSAT is a very key component of that, including other African satellite operators.
“Like I indicated, the Pan-African dream that our forefathers put in place, we have to live with it. It’s not just about talking. We have to use the services that are provided by our African countries.
“For example, Ghana does not have a communication satellite. So what I’ll do to help my Pan-African brother is to use a satellite that covers Ghana. And the next person I can go to is Nigeria.
“And as the new Director General of RASCOM, it’s my mandate and also my resolution to ensure that Africans use satellite services that are being provided by the African member,” he’s said.
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