NSUKKA – The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has advised scientists in the country to come up with a research that will proffer solutions to the current security challenges.
Speaking at the Centre for Basic Space science (CBSS) in Nsukka, Enugu State on Friday, Ekweremadu said the scientists should develop a device that could track terrorists in their hideouts to end the killing of innocent Nigerians. “I believe scientists in the county can proffer solutions to the security challenge facing us.
“I will commit part of my constituency projects fund to CBSS to help in the development of space science research and technology,” he said.
Ekweremadu said he was proud to be a product of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, adding that he would continue to do everything within his power to attract more infrastructures to the university.
He said he was instrumental to the approval of N1 billion for the university in the 2014 budget for the building of diagnostic centre in the university.
“UNN is our own Harvard University in Nigeria and we will continue to attract infrastructures to enable it to compete favourably with other universities in the world,“ he said.
The deputy senate president said more universities should be established in Nsukka so that it would be right to call it a university town.
In a remark, Prof. Seidu Mohammed, the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), commended Ekweremadu for his interest in the centre.
He commended Ekweremadu for his determination to commit part of his constituency project fund to the centre.
“This support has made it possible for the centre to construct unmanned aerial vehicles. These vehicles when properly utilised will produce adequate data for astronomy and scientific research.
“Your support over the years for NASRDA is overwhelming and we urge you to keep it up.
“NASRDA is one of the leading agencies not only in Africa but in the world,“ he said.
Earlier in a remark, the Director of CBSS, Prof. Fidelis Opara, said the centre was one of the activity centres of NASRDA.
It is mandated to develop relevant infrastructure and manpower for the study and popularisation of astronomy in Nigeria, Opara said.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of a book titled “Braving the Stars, the biography of Prof. Pius Okeke,’’ the pioneer director of CBSS. (NAN)