1. Successful launch of two spacecrafts: NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by a DENPR launch vehicle on 17th August, 2011 from the Yasny launch base, Russian Federation by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). The application of these Satellites among others are:
- Nigeria became a member of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) following the launch of NigeriaSat 1 in 2003. After the flooding in Ibadan on the 26th of August, 2011, the International Charter was activated. This prompted tasking all the Satellites in the charter to share information over the flooded area;
- As a result, real time and archival images of various satellites were made available from NASRDA to NEMA;and
- Similarly, the United Nations platform for space based information and disaster management and emergency response (UN-SPIDR) regional support office hosted by NASRDA in addition supported with NigeriaSat-1 images for Change Detection Analysis (CDA) and has also dispatched officials to the field in Ibadan for ground trusting which will further support Oyo State government in the post flood management efforts.
2. The following achievement has been made under Biotechnology Sector:
- Facilitating the passage into law of the Bio-Safety bill awaiting Presidential accent;
- Conclusion of Biotechnology techniques for improvement of crop varieties of rice, cassava, beans and sorghum;
- Distribution of long fibre cotton seed varieties to members of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria for increase cotton production in the country;
- Commencement of bio factory for rapid regeneration of plantlets for agricultural, industrial and desert control using Temporary Immersion Biotechnology. The technology is ready for full deployment;
- Development of rapid diagnostic kits for malaria, Hepatitis B, pregnancy and Syphilis. The first three have been registered with NAFDAC, while the last one has been approved.
3. Under Engineering Infrastructure, the following achievements has been made:
- Reverse Engineering Process for the fabrication combustion Engine of internal combustion;
- Fabrication of Engine Parts such as Cylinder Head, Rocker Cover, Carburettor parts e.t.c.
4.Other technologies developed, refined and/or applied inludes:
- OIL EXPELLER CEDED TO SMEs
- 40 ROTARY FURNACES DELIVERED TO NDDC;
- 20 DELIVERED TO ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT;
- OTHERS TO POLYTECHNICS;
- Interlocking Blockmaking Machine ceded to private sector (June to September 2011);
- Block moulding machines (Partnering with States and Local Governments for affordable housing. The machine specifications are:Engine:10kW diesel engine, Weight:920Kg (Average,Dmension:(2.0x1.0x1.5)m (Lx W x H,
Production Capacity:350 to 400 blocks per hr,Hydraulic Tank :75 litres capacity;
- ROLLER COMPACTOR FOR FEEDER ROADS CONSTRUCTION IN STATES;
5. In pursuance of the objectives of its mission the Ministry, having articulated its policy directions and produced a compendium of on-going R&D projects, has also compiled the profiles of a selection of commercialisable R&D results. The compilation is being updated on regular basis. The most significant aspect of this compilation is that each of the listed projects is a successful result of research carried out in the country. In most cases machineries and equipment and process inputs are all sourceable locally. Equipped with this compilation, the Ministry is proceeding to link researchers with entrepreneurs in order to commercialize the projects. Funding for the enterprise is sourced through venture capital or soft loan scheme available through existing institutions such as the Bank of Industry. With appropriate Government backing, the Ministry is presently well positioned to fast track the country’s pace of progress in development of Science and Technology.
Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa
Honourable Minister.
August, 2011
