The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has sought the partnership of the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) for commercialization of products of research from the agency.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the ACCI president, Dr Abubakar Gummi at the chamber’s headquarters in Abuja, the director-general of NASRDA, Dr. Halilu Ahmad Shaba, stressed the need for an enhanced relationship and partnership for the improvement and expansion of the agency’s revenue drive through the commercialization of its research products and activities.
He posited that the space industry is very lucrative and strategic in the country’s development, pointing out that NASRDA as an active player would not relent in taking advantage of numerous possibilities that abound in the space sector for socio-economic development of the country.
The NASRDA boss further explained that the space industry was a veritable tool for radical development with capabilities of proffering solutions to myriads of societal challenges as well as avenue for revenue generation for both government and private entities.
Shaba emphasized that investment in space science and technology could, turn around the fortune of any country adding the sector could produce the next set of billionaires in Nigeria if effective collaboration with commercial oriented organizations like the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry was given a pride of place.
He lauded the noble contributions of the chamber as a big player in the business world, pointing out that its roles in the realm of business and commercial development in the country remained crucial, even as he called for partnership and continuous interaction between the chamber and the space agency based on the principles of inter-dependency in appreciation of the role of the chambers as a key actor in the effective marketing of the Nigerian space industry.
In his response, Gummi commended the management of the space agency for its numerous achievements since inception, saying it had positioned itself as a pride to the nation.
He described space science and technology as catalyst for meaningful development in any country, pointing out that developmental efforts and activities across the globe depend largely on the application of space technology.
While expressing the willingness of the chamber to partner with the space agency, Gummi also emphasised the need for periodic interface with the agency to enable the chambers tap from its expertise to open up and adopt new technologies which the space agency provides.
He said the chambers would provide business links to relevant technology companies to enable the space agency engage them on meaningful and effective collaborations.
He maintained that promoting organizations like NASRDA would equally serve as projection for the chambers, assuring that the chamber would sustain its relationship with the agency with a focus on the promotion of the its (agency’s) research products and commercial activities.
A statement by NASRDA’s head, media and corporate communication, Dr. Felix Ale said the ACCI director-general, Mrs Victoria Akai, in her contribution, thanked the management of NASRDA for the visit and assured them of effective collaboration and relationship with the chambers.
