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Nigeria 2006

World Space Week 2006 Report

The activities marking World Space Week (WSW) in Nigeria, was held between 4 and 10 October 2006. It was planned and executed by African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in English (ARCSSTE-E), Obafemi Awolowo University campus, Ile-Ife, in conjunction with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja.

The week-long celebrations, which begun on October 4, 2006, was preceded by a massive publicity campaigns with colourful posters and banners displayed strategically and conspicuously in major streets on the university campus. To sensitise the general public and make it nationwide programme, the local organisers placed adverts and feature articles in the newspapers (October 4, 5 and 6) and by granting of radio and television interviews (October 6) to highlight importance of WSW. Radio and Television jingles, public service announcements and mid-news reports were placed in the local media in English and native language (Yoruba).

A seminar on the topic "Use of Space Technology for Combating Environmental Disasters" was held on 9 October at the Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University. The Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor M O Faborode, the chief host of the ceremony was represented by Professor A O Obisesan, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture. The Chairman of the occasion was Professor E E Balogun, the immediate past director, ARCSSTEE. Other dignitaries present were the Director General, NASRDA, Professor R A Boroffice (ably represented by Dr J O Akinyede, Director, Space Applications, NASRDA), Director, Regional Centre for Aerospace Surveys and Deans and Heads of departments in the university. Stakeholders in space science technology, school principals, science teachers association, government officials, the academia and policy makers in relevant areas of science and technology participated at the seminar

The welcome address was give by Professor Professor O. O. Jegede, director of ARCSSTE-E and World Space Week National Coordinator for Nigeria. Prof. Jegede provided the background on World Space Week, the 2006 theme, and plans next year for World Space Week to celebrate 50 years of space exploration.

Five prominent experts gave lectures at the seminar. Dr. Akinyede presented a paper on the "Role of Space Technology in Disaster Management and Reduction". Professor Ayobami T. Salami, Director, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, delivered a paper titled "Spin-offs of Space Exploration for Ecological Disaster and Management". Mr Ayodeji Ajayi, the representative of the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) gave a paper titled "Application of Space Technology in Managing Disasters". The Director-General spoke extensively on the collaborative effort of NEMA and National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in using the services of NigeriaSAT-1 for disaster management. Mr. Oluwole Adeniran of the Federal School of Surveying also gave a presentation on how space technology could be beneficial to managing natural disasters. Due to other pressurizing engagements, the Director-General, Nigerian Meteorology Agency (NIMET) tendered apology for absence. Professor A S Aguda of the department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University served as the rapporteur. About 250 people attended the workshop and group photograph showing the participants is shown below.

On the following day, 10 October, the centre hosted about 300 school children (from elementary and secondary schools) to a symposium and also participated in a quiz competition on space education. The school children were treated to educational video presentations on the benefits of space technology to mankind, various types of space exploration and its positive impact on mankind.

Aside from this main activity, all week, members of the community visited the space museum located at ARCSSTE-E. The aim was to increase awareness about space technology. Over 400 school children and adults were received at the centre. Apart from the exhibitions mounted in the space museum, educational DVDs on themes about the solar system, space exploration and disaster management were shown. The centre made T-shirts, face-caps, jotters, pens, notebooks, and other promotional materials inscribed with the world's space week logo were given to the visitors as gifts to promote the WSW 2006. There were presentations of prizes to the first six winners of the quiz competition.

The Zeronaut, Ms Stella Bridget Felix, Nigeria and indeed Africa's first school girl to experience weightlessness thrilled the school children with her vivid presentation/illustrations of her specific experience on the weightless flight and other exciting moments in the United States of America. Stella's presentation captivated the attention of the children as was obviously seen with the rapt attention and the absolute silence that engulfed the atmosphere of the Ogunbanjo community Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, during the one hour presentation.

The events culminated with reports presented as paid news airtime on various television and radio stations and major newspapers within the country.

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