Nigeria made history yesterday in faraway China when she launched her communication satellite, aptly called Nigerian Communication Satellite, (NIGCOMSAT-1) as the 20-transponder mass successfully went on the 20-30 minutes trip into orbit.
First in the continent of Africa , the satellite launch, which was witnessed by top Nigerian officials, has been described as an impressive feat by President Olusegun Obasanjo, according to a statement by Mr. Felix Ale, Head of Corporate Affairs and Media at the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA).
The technology is expected to provide reliable communication satellite services to subscribers in Nigeria and the continent, including those in the Diaspora.
Ale described the excitement at the launch site as 'electrifying', noting that the Director-General of NASRDA, Professor Robert Ajayi Boroffice, had immediately informed Obasanjo of the success of the event.
According to him, "Boroffice has also called Obasanjo to inform him of the success of the launch. The President was impressed and full of praise for NASRDA.
Ale said that the NASRDA boss described the launch as a monumental technological leap and victory for Africa .
"With the successful launch of NIGCOMSAT-1, technological revolution in Africa has started as nobody can stop it."
Among Nigerian officials present at the launch were the country's Ambassador to China , Ambassador J.O Coker.
He also reported that his Boroffice thanked Obasanjo for the confidence reposed in the Agency to embark on the project.
The NigcomSat-1 was launched into geosynchronous orbit from the Xichang satellite launch centre.
The NASRDA also said in a statement that the technology is a super hybrid geo-stationary satellite designed to operate in C, KU, KA and L bands and wholly owned by Nigeria .
NigcomSat-1 has Africa, part of Middle East and Southern Europe as its footprint, the release explained.
This Day Newspaper (Lagos)
Posted to the web 14 May 2007
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