Book Review:
1. While the
following may not be new to several of the esteemed and distinguished academics
in the audience, they amazed me:
a. The first ever
live satellite telephone conversation between chiefs of state, was between J.
F. Kennedy of the USA and Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa of Nigeria. This is a
testimony to the respectable and esteemed past of our Nation.
b. Within the first
month of our independence in 1960, Nigeria and the USA signed an MoU on space
vehicle tracking.
c. A hypersensitive
ground tracking unit was installed at the now University of Ibadan in 1957/ 58,
as part of the USA Explorer-1 satellite which contributed discovery of the
Van-Allen Radiation belt, It is believed to protect Earth's atmosphere from
destruction by Solar-winds.
d. The first
satellite earth station in Nigeria, that the Americans called NASA Tracking
Station 5, was installed in 1960/ 61 in Kano with support from NASA for
monitoring the impending USA Gemini and Apollo space missions. As you are all
aware, it was the Apollo missions that placed mankind on the moon. At the time,
the locals called it “the place the Sardauna built to get the message from the stars.”
e. In 1962, an
over 18-kilogram meteorite from Mars landed in Zagami, present day Katsina
State, Nigeria, and it was a significant space encounter for the nation. Today
pieces of that stone are scattered in various museums and with private “dealers”
around the world. The location of the remains of the core, which is our
collective national heritage, your heritage and my heritage, are uncertain.
Morality and natural justice demands that such finds are a public commons and
heritage, like the air, rivers, oceans and frequency spectrum, which the state
keeps in trust for, and on behalf of, the people.
Introduction:
2. Nigeria’s Space
Journey – Understanding its Past, Reshaping its Future is a fascinating yet
sobering, 400 page, record of Nigeria’s historical relationship with modern
Science and Technology, as manifested in activities related to outer-space. The
book is also an account of the authors activities in the “Court” of Obasanjo.
3. The book evoked
mixed feelings for me, as it recounts several missteps, missed opportunities
and inexplicably bad decisions that Nigeria has taken from Independence to
date. However, we must focus on:
a. What did
Nigeria and its decision-makers do right, and
b. What could we
have done better.
c. This is a
better way forward so that we can avoid getting bogged down in blame games
instead of, concentrating on learning our lessons and moving forward.
4. The Author
explores space and its impact on Nigeria. The author focuses on the steps
Nigeria has taken to achieve its space related goals and the steps it should
take for the future. It is divided into six main sections, namely:
a. Space in Human
lives;
b. Space efforts in Nigeria;
c. Reawakening of Nigeria;
d. Nigeria’s space
priorities;
e. Contributions to
the Resolution of Global Concern; and lastly
f. Moving ahead.
5. In 2001, Nigeria
articulated its Space Policy and Programme with the vision “To make Nigeria
build indigenous competence in developing, designing and building appropriate
hardware and software in space technology as an essential tool for its
socio-economic development and enhancement of the quality of life of its
people.”
However, instead of pursuing the above objective, Nigeria
swallowed the bait of the satellite merchants that touted the acquisition of
micro-satellites as the quickest and cheapest way to space for the developing
countries. With a focus on the upstream-end of the technology, a string of such
acquisitions soon became the centrepiece of the nation’s space programme.
6. The author
examines and analyses the lessons Nigeria has learned on our space journey,
to-date. It concludes that the nation’s space efforts have not delivered as
promised, and that the nation’s space journey should be redefined and
redesigned, for Nigeria to attain its space related goals. As Nigeria looks to
the future, it must effectively utilise its natural endowments to earn its
place as a respected space capable country. This can be done with an initial
focus on the downstream impact of technology. Thus, it would need to retool its
own science and technology capabilities, and utilise these assets to enhance
its economic development and improve the wellbeing of its people.
Section 1 - “Space in Human Lives”
7. This section
recounts the launch of Sputnik-1, the first human artificial satellite by the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in October 1957, that marked the
beginning of the space age; followed by the launch of USA Explorer-1 in January
1958.
8. The Nigerian
communication industry in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, was beset with often
uniquely indigenous challenges. As we may recollect, the advent of the mobile
phone was at that time considered by the nations leadership to be only for the
elite.
9. It is pleasing
to note that Nigerians of all socio-economic capabilities are increasingly
leveraging advanced science and technology based tools since the year 2000.
However, as the author observes, we have clearly not weaned ourselves from the
mentality of acquiring foreign technology solutions, without commensurate
investment in expanding our domestic capacity for foundational intellectual
research, as well as basic science and technology. Our ongoing challenges with
our various earth observation and communications satellites, highlight that the
important lessons have not yet been learnt.
10. The author notes
that we need to have an understanding of the opportunities that abound in outer
space, and how the successful exploration and exploitation of these
opportunities is in our national interest. Satellite based information and
services are becoming fully integrated into everything we do, as they help in
accomplishing daily human tasks. The author reviewed Satellite capabilities
that relate to basic human development that include: Healthcare; Marine
Ecosystems and Fisheries; Weather Forecasting; Search and rescue system and
Building a culture of peace in Africa among others.
Section 2 - Space Efforts in Nigeria
11. The contribution
of Nigerian scientists to the study of the ionosphere in the 1950’s – 1960’s
introduced Nigeria to the peripheries of outer space and may have also
influenced the USA’s request for Nigeria to provide local support for America’s
initial manned space mission. This throws up issues that our nation and its
decision-makers should have done better, namely:
a. Nigeria in the
early stages of its space journey focused on technology transfer instead of
technology development. We thought we could acquire technology as short-cuts to
solve our developmental challenges. With hindsight it is clear that without a
solid foundation, the house will not stand. Unfortunately, building foundations
take time and significant efforts. However, our own history has shown us, that
there is wisdom in the Parable of the Wise and the Foolish Builders, one who
build her house on a rock and the other who build his house on sand.
12. In the main,
Nigeria’s Science and Technology sector never truly developed because we, and
decision-makers in particular, focused on acquiring technology from other
nations instead of developing technology locally. Decision makers lost focus on
the fact that these things must be for and about people.
13. I recollect the
day the author read the already signed contract for NigeriaSat-1.
a. It must be
understood that the author, as well as the National Security Adviser at that
time, had made significant efforts to obtain, and make inputs into the draft
purchase agreement, before it was signed.
b. I can attest to
the frustrations and obstacles we all faced.
c. I respectfully
recollect that upon reading the contract Nigeria had signed, the author shed
tears. It was one of three occasions that I witnessed such emotions from the
author.
d. We must
appreciate that these tears arose from his genuine love for Nigeria; his
passion to ensure that in the outer-space sector, in which he stood tall,
Nigeria would go in the right direction, there-by resulting in the right
outcomes.
e. It was a very
sobering time for all of us, and we must continue to endeavour to learn from
the frustrations, disappointments and missed opportunities that we witness, to
ensure that our nation, and ourselves, do better.
14. We also must
appreciate President Obasanjo’s commitment to Nigeria’s space agenda as
manifested in February 2000, when he appointed the author as Senior Special
Assistant to the President on Space Science and Technology (SSAP-SST).
15. As the authors
recollects, the “Nigeria Space Program: A Blue Print for Scientific and
Technological Development2”, was submitted to President Obasanjo on 26
September 2000.
a. I recall the
development process and the meetings, of the 24 Space egg-heads, that put the
65-page document together.
b. While not
doubting the quality of thought and effort that went in to the development,
Nigeria’s 1998/ 99 national submission to the United Nations on UNISPACE III,
about our future space activities. I remember the author admonishing us, that,
it was 186 pages long, and we had no satellite at that time. Yet, a similar
Indian document was only 8 pages long, and, at the time, had about 15
Satellites in orbit.
i. Subsequently,
in 2014, India sent a probe into orbit around Mars.
ii. Fast forward
to 15 February 2017, when India launched 104 satellites into space, atop its
own rocket.
iii. Certainly, the
India space program has come of age.
iv. Some may ask
whither Nigeria?
16. One of the most
important lessons I learnt during the development of the aforementioned “Blue
Print”, was that a policy or blue print document should be acted upon.
a. To be acted
upon, it must be read.
b. To be read,
it must be concise and to the point.
c. Using
President Obasanjo, as an example, he had over 40 ministers and 60 special
assistants including the author, as well as others, thus totalling well over
150 persons that could send him important memos and documents.
i. Assuming, that
each of those persons sent him in a given day, an average of a one-page memo
then the President, despite being an avid reader, will need to read at least
150 pages each day.
ii. While
accepting that President Obasanjo, read more than most, we must appreciate that
we must not overload strategic decision makers with unnecessary details.
iii. Thus, if a 186-page blue-print is sent to a
strategic decision maker, it is clear that most will not read it, and his staff
will filter it down to a one or two-page document which may likely leave out
the critical issues that can influence the decisions arrived at.
17. I recollect the
author’s story, as articulated on page 98, on when he was summoned back to
Abuja, upon his arriving in the USA for a well-earned break. Permit me to
reminisce:
a. I was the
person who called him, to inform him that the President wanted him to
participate in a crucial meeting, and that he needed to return to Nigeria on
the next flight.
b. I recollect
that the 08 January 2001 meeting was very difficult for all of us.
c. I also
recall that the SSAP, and the NSA, had provided a full brief to the President
on the issues to be discussed, and I knew the President understood the
situation.
d. However,
what made my jaw drop was that the President asked the decision makers from the
Ministry some questions three times. At a point he even said, “are you sure.”
As you know, when an African-elder asks, three times, it often implies that he
knows more than you have told him. The ministries decision makers’ response
each time was at variance with my understanding of the issues. I have never
forgotten how people, in the ministry, whom I held in high esteem let me down,
and by extension let the nation down.
Section 3 - Reawakening of Nigeria
18. As the author
explains, for Nigeria to face its future in its space journey, the nation’s
science and technology foundation must first be rebuilt. The success of our
space journey is tied to the health of its Science and Technology sector.
19. Reawakening
Nigeria requires us to see Science and Technology as a tool of Development,
taking a cue from Brazil, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. While, there is a huge
difference between Then and Now, however, we know, it should have been better.
Section 4 - Nigeria’s Space priorities
20. The priorities
recommended by the author include:
a. The nation’s
need to learn from its past experiences;
b. Rebuild its
science and technology foundation;
c. Utilize its
abundant human capacity to achieve its space goals;
d. Know and
understand the world in which we live;
e. Harness
space to address the basic necessities of the Nigerian resident;
f. The need to
meet the security and safety concerns of the nation;
g. Gain a
better understanding of the equatorial plane;
h. Build and
nurture a private sector that can support the nations space programme.
Section 5 - Contributions to the Resolution of Global
Concerns
21. The author
notes that, in a bid to contribute to the resolution of issues of global
concern, there is a need for us to understand that this starts with us as
individuals, then as a nation. We need to protect our planet first, from
ourselves. There is a need for us to act collectively, be accurately informed
and act accordingly. This is in addition, to the efforts of global leaders,
through various initiatives such as;
a. The
Mitigation of global warming and its attendant climate change; and
b. The
mitigation of the impact of Near-Earth Objects, such as meteorites and
especially space debris:
i. According
to Time Magazine “On average, one tracked object re-enters the atmosphere each
day. Most of these are very small. An intact spacecraft or launch vehicle
orbital stage typically falls back to Earth once a week.”
ii. Recollect
that, “NASA's 85-ton Skylab crashed into Western Australia in 1979.”
iii. Italy’s 1.4
tonne Bepposax satellite that fell into the Pacific Ocean on 29 April 20037.
According to the Bepposax Re-entry Predictions8, The Niger Delta was under its
path, but for providence it could have crashed there.
Section 6 – Moving Ahead
22. The author
poses questions that we must reflect upon as a nation, on our way forward.
a. What exactly
are we aiming for?
b. What path do
we want to take?
23. A space
programme can be one of the most challenging and demanding national
undertakings because, it requires high levels of intellectual and financial
capabilities. However, it can revolutionize the nation’s development
trajectory. Our answers to these questions should enable us to redirect our
space journey.
24. Recommendations
for consideration by the author include:
a. The National
Space Council (NSC), that embodies the vision of the nation’s space programme
should be more pro-active and should provide continuous rigorous oversight of
the nation’s space activities;
b. To
accomplish the above, the NSC should, constitute a sound technical advisory
body (The Think Tank) in order to redefine and redesign the nation’s space
agenda;
c. The Think
Tank should offer advice to the NSC on the pursuit of the immediate and
mid-term priorities of the nation’s space programme;
d. The Think
Tank should conscientiously partner with stakeholders for a united national
space effort, on the NSC’s behalf.
e. The NSC
should rally the resources that will ensure the sustainability of the nation’s
space programme.
f. The NSC
should ensure that the nation takes necessary measures to learn vital lessons
from the comparable steps of other countries.
Conclusion:
25. The importance
of this book, goes beyond the issues of science and technology to highlight the
need for all of us, especially those who have witnessed the unfolding of
significant events, to document our thoughts and experiences for posterity.
a. I believe
that the perspectives of most of our decision-makers are likely to be lost
forever, and by extension the memory and legacies of many leaders and players,
in the sands of time. This is because, they have not directly documented their
roles, perspectives and thoughts, in relation to epoch making events.
b. Olusegun
Obasanjo is an example of a decision maker who understands this. His
perspectives, rightly or wrongly, will likely prevail in history because he has
directly articulated them, and not relied on “interpreters.” Likewise, I
believe that this book will be part of the authors considerable legacy.
c.
Unfortunately, it is possible that the perspectives of other Nigerian
heads of government will be quickly washed away because, they have not
personally provided coherent insight into what happened, why and their intents,
in the context of the time at which they made their decisions.
d. For those
who are dead it is too late, for those who are living, including all of us here
today, I implore you to articulate your recollection of the experiences
leading-up to the many events in our national journey, so that we at least have
an opportunity to learn from you. We may opt, for many reasons, not to learn,
but you have an obligation to provide your insight, should we, or a subsequent
generation, choose to do so. Such insights become part of your legacy to us and
part of our culture and understanding as a people.
26. The author
articulates why:
a. Nigeria, and
its people, are where we are today, and we must admit that our position is not
optimal;
b. The author
notes that to move forward, Nigeria must:
i. Engage in
broader consultations with stakeholder, not through media dialogues, but
through the Think Tank’s inspired rigorous national dialogues;
ii. Invest in
enhancing the capacity of our people to fundamentally grapple with the real
science and technology challenges that we face;
iii. Ensure that
our national development policies are sustainable, by making sure that they are
grounded in local realities. This can only be done when such local realities
are adequately and scientifically understood;
iv. Decision-makers
must endeavour to take a more strategic view of addressing the science and
technology challenges that our nation would face.
v. Arguably,
the above is the “real national restructuring.”
27. The author
believes that the academic community in Nigeria is not taken as seriously as it
should be by decision-makers. Decision-makers and the academic community must
find ways to communicate better:
a. Researchers
and decision-makers often talk “at” each other, and not talk “to” each other.
b. Despite the
existence of high quality indigenous research, many policy decisions arise from
advice generated beyond our borders.
c. Both Policy
makers and Academia must build communication bridges with the intent of
developing synergy. If this means using cartoons, then so be it.
d. The academic
community needs to simplify and significantly shorten its communications with
decision-makers.
28. There will be
some, including a few in the audience, whose interpretation of events may be
different from those of the author. That’s ok, and to them I say:
a. I witnessed
several of the events that the author discussed as they occurred while he was
SSAP-SST.
b. While you
have the right to dispute any of the perspectives given, you also have a duty
to this nation, posterity and the truth, to honestly articulate your
perspectives, and version of truth, as you perceive it.
29. Nigeria’s Space
Journey – Understanding its Past, Reshaping its Future is a fascinating book
that is well worth reading. However, it can be heavy reading for a younger
generation that is used to sound bites. It says much of what needs to be said,
and it will be an important addition to the repertoire of national development
discourse. I encourage, all who are interested in moving Nigeria forward, to
read this book.
Thank you for your attention. I wish you all well.
By Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola
