Nigeria needs new satellite to tackle security challenges- Ex-Minister

A Former Minister of Agriculture,  Dr. Audu Ogbeh, has stressed the need for another satellite to address some of the  security challenges facing the Nigeria .

He said that given the current security challenges in the country, Nigeria would need a new communication satellite to tackle activities that could further undermine the nation’s peace and security.

Ogbeh said Nigeria’s future would be at risk if the country by its land mass and population failed to have military/security satellites capable of monitoring strange activities within the country and at the borders with a view to ensure the safety and security of the country.

He stated this during the launch of three new Solutions and Services by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat) at a stakeholders breakfast meeting in Abuja, Nigeria.

Ogbeh  said: “The time has come for Nigeria to think of another Satellite in orbit just like the European has the Europe Eyes and Americans have four different Satellites in Space to monitor global activities.

“From Badagry in Lagos to Yola in Adamawa and Yenogoa in Bayelsa, we have about 4,076km land mass and borders. We need to enhance our security systems by having Satellite communications for military and security agencies. I understand 20,000 children are born daily in Nigeria which is about 600,000 a month and 7 million a year.

“We need security people to have Satellite means to monitor our borders and monitor activities within the country 24/7, otherwise the future of our country would be at risk going by the land mass and population” He said .

Ogbeh urged NigComSat to lobby the National Assembly and the Presidency to raise funds for the purpose of acquiring the new Satellite for the country, asserting that the military and security agencies should also be fully involved in the project.