Access to data: Nigeria joins earth observation group in Africa

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

Nigeria on Wednesday has joined South Africa to be the second country on the continent to be part of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) GEO-Nigeria, for the promotion of access to data and information.

Nigeria is being represented at the global level by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

The group is an intergovernmental partnership that improves the availability,access and use of Earth Observations (EO)data for a sustainable planet.

It is a unique global network of partners which consists of over 100 national governments and participating organisations committed to informed decisions and actions by coordinated and sustained EO data.

Dr Adeleke Mamora,Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI),at the 2-day GEO-Nigeria and Radar Training Workshop,said Nigeria would benefit a lot as a member country.

Mamora said: “It will provide all the stakeholders a national intergovernmental platform for collaborations, partnerships and play a leading role in the activities of NASRDA with focus on EO programmes and missions.”

Mamora was represented by Mrs Monilola Udoh, Permanent Secretary,Federal Ministry of STI.

He said that GEO promotes open, coordinated, sustained data infrastructure and sharing for appropriate research, policy formulation, decisions making and implementation across sectors.

Focusing on the UN 2030 SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction which Nigeria is a signatory, the miniater said the Federal Government would sustain support to the success of GEO-Nigeria.

Mamora said: “The time has come for the all stakeholders to come together for the effective utilisation of the Space Technology spin-off in Nigeria.

“This entails improved revenue generation with high resolution satellite imagery, to security of lives and properties with geotagged National Identity Card and more.

“There is a developmental paradigm shift and Nigeria is in a strategic position to serve the African Continent with her arrays of Space Assets.

“This will reate jobs, reduce capital flight and technological innovations for the youthful and ever growing 200 million population.”

Dr Halilu Shaba,Director-General of NASRDA, said that according to the GEO principle, EO data has proven to be vital for national security,physical and socio-economic development.

He said: “Our planet is a complex and interconnected system,brimming with vital information waiting to be unlocked.

“It is through the lens of EO that we gain valuable insights,enabling us to make informed decisions, mitigate risks and unlock the tremendous potential for progress in our nations.”

Shaba added that in the face of national security concerns, EO data empowers the nation to detect emerging threats, monitor borders,track geopolitical dynamics and respond effectively to crises.

The Director-General said that Nigeria being a member of GEO was committed to the success of its strategic plan 2016 – 2025,open-data-policy and facilitating the implementation of the global priority areas.

Shaba said that the Secretariat for GEO-Nigeria would be domiciled at the UN African Regional Centre for Space Space and Technology Education in English,(UN-ARCSSTE-E), an activity centre of the agency.

Prof. Babatunde Rabiu,the Focal Person of GEO-Nigeria earlier said Nigeria was one of the 114 member countries of GEO.

Represented by Dr Matthew Adepoju, Alternate Principal for GEO-Nigeria, Rabiu further said the countries were working to develop and deliver EO information,infrastructure and services.

According to him, they are being used widely by government,industry,research and global community in solving global problems.

“GEO focuses on improving the coordination of EO systems and data policies,enhance the availability and accessibility of EO data.

“It fosters the use of EO for addressing key societal issues like climate change and disaster management,among others.

“The coming on of GEO-Nigeria resonates with GEO’s core principles that guide our nation’s vision for the future,” he said.

Rabiu called on the stakeholders for collaborative engagement towards achieving the common goal of GEO.

Adepoju,in his capacity, said that having a GEO-Nigeria would enable the country make informed decisions in areas of government thereby reducing the cost of governance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were goodwill messages from Ms Phoebe Oduor,Point of Contact AfriGEO, Dr Sabri Mekaoui, Programme Officer,STI of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS,South African GEO and NUC,among others.

(NAN)