hello all!

in light of the fact that science and technology is something that is not synonymous with Africa, at least from the perspective of non Africans and even Africans themselves, i have created this thread so that we all can talk about some of the silent developments going on in that area on the continent; how we are delving into the world of serious science and technology for education on how the world works, securing food production for our people, environmental management and protection, and for general improvement of quality of life.

everyone is welcome to take part in this thread and to post, from around the continent, relevant articles backed up by pictures and videos from credible sources.

On Nigeria's space programme for national development
Director General's Desk In 1976, Nigeria declared its space ambition to members of the Economic Commission for Africa and Organization of African Unity during an inter-governmental meeting in Addis-Ababa In 1988 the National Council of Ministers’ approved the establishment of a National Centre for Remote Sensing, to be located at Jos; with a Ground Receiving Station, at Kerang, in Mangu LGA of Plateau State(site of the defunct Aerostat Balloon Project). Policy Statements Nigeria shall vigorously pursue the attainment of space capabilities as an essential tool for its socio-economic development and the enhancement of the quality of life of its people. The Nation shall achieve this through research , rigorous education, engineering development, design and manufacture of appropriate hardware and software in space technology, including transport and payloads, such as satellite , telescopes and antennas for scientific research and applications. Government shall also foster Bi-lateral and international cooperation in all aspects of Space Science and Technology in order to ensure that Nigeria Scientist s and Engineers benefits from global developments in this enterprise. Approved Space Policy in 2001 Established the “National Space Council Search S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Embed View on Twitter Tweets by @NASRDA 03 Jul #NigeriaSat1 decommissioned after seven (7) years of successful earth observatory missions NASRDA @NASRDA

Nigeria's interest in space technology and research.
Scope The initial scope of the Nigerian Space Programme (NSP) to be implemented by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) should include: The study of basic space science in order to lay the foundation for deriving maximum benefits from the nation’s participation in the space enterprise; For the attainment of space capabilities, Nigeria’s efforts should focus on research and rigorous education, engineering development, design and manufacture, particularly in the areas of instrumentation, rocketry and small satellites as well as in satellite data acquisition, processing, analysis and management of related software; The establishment of a national earth observation station for remote sensing and satellite meteorology data acquisition. Such an infrastructure will enhance the indigenous ability to adopt, modify and create new techniques for national resources inventories, monitoring, evaluation and management; The provision of efficient, reliable and adequate telecommunications services in Nigeria in order to enhance the growth of the industrial, commercial and administrative sectors of the economy. The focus areas of the National Space Programme (NSP) include: Basic Space Science and Technology to provide the understanding of how the universe works and what its impact is on the world. This will enable us to lay the foundation for deriving maximum benefits from the nation’s participation in the space enterprise. Remote Sensing to help Nigerians understand and manage our environment and natural resources using space- acquired information. This technology will enable us to better understand our land, air and water resources and their associated problems. Satellite Meteorology to study atmospheric and weather sciences using satellite data to facilitate the effective management of our environment. Communication and Information Technology to provide efficient and reliable telecommunications services for Nigeria in order to enhance the growth of the industrial, commercial and administrative sectors of the economy. Defence and Security. The Federal Government shall develop a necessary Space Science Technology (SST) programme that will address the national needs of Nigeria. For this purpose the government shall establish a Defence Space Command in the Ministry of Defence. The Command shall comprise representatives of the defence, intelligence, security and law enforcement services and report through the Ministry of Defence to the National Space Council. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Space_Research_and_Development_Agency

good picture of an African satellite engineer.

cannot post pictures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zNYBLdYc2Q

beautiful video

this is coming from the republic or South Africa. kudos to them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsET2egxBkc

space for national development


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7zFWwv6sXA

i am going to respond to those cynicism later.

another video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7AohmtiLmg

photo of nigerian scientists that built our last satellite launched into space in 2011.

this shows that we are building capacity, and we have built that capacity to a great extent, in cutting edge science and technology for national development.

this means more Africans are gaining intuitive understanding of how the cosmos works; we are also taking proactive steps to secure the health of our crops and food supply to a population we are not taking active steps to curb yet.

we are making use of our communication satellites to extend connectivity and information to areas of our demography, where it would cost more to run underground fibre otical cables to. this also means that we are creating an egalitarian society. the first step to creating an egalitarian society is to spread education and information so that the average citizen can have an informed public opinion.

we are going to link up our satellites with the cctvs we are going to install in our major cities. this will ensure the safety of our lives and properties.

nigerian scientists building our space satellites under the supervision of the engineers at surrey.

Following.

one of nigeria's satellites blasting off to space on a chineae rocket.

the roof of NASDRA is green so as to give visitors a feeling that they are in a different planet. good idea, in my opinion.

the ground station in Abuja.

i am sorry i will have to keep posting on space related issues for now before moving on to other things. but pls, feel free to post on anything from your various countries if you are non Nigerian.

following

Following bro

Following. @tdayof I know you're interested in this.

Vikkie14:
Following. @tdayof I know you're interested in this.

Thanks for the mention. It's also good to note Nigeria operates the most advanced satellites in SSA.
Seems we've also launcher more satalites than any other African nation.

One of the things that makes you proud of being Nigerian.

Nice work @Op.

Ujuh Reporter South Africa’s ambition to grab a share of the multi-billion dollar aerospace market may have received a shot in the arm via, NewSpace Systems, a commercial formation partly powered by a British expat, James Barrington- Brown. NewSpace Systems a Somerset West- based company, which specializes in the manufacture of satellite components made headlines this week. The company launched its R4m Clean Room facility in the wake of securing 22 contracts from 11 countries worldwide in its second year of operation. NewSpace Systems’ CEO James Barrington-Brown is said to have decided to make South Africa his home because of “his love of the country”. Barrington-Brown says he is delighted about the company’s progress after making a profit on a R5 million turnover in the first year of operation. Six months into their second year they already have R16m worth of contracts secured from countries such as Argentina, Sweden, Italy, China, Netherlands, South Korea, USA, and Israel. Their Clean Room facility is an important adjunct to any satellite manufacturing concern. Barrington- Brown explains that “It is very important that all components used in satellite manufacturing are completely free from dust, static electricity and even oil from people’s skins which can contaminate the satellite and especially the optical instruments in a zero gravity and vacuum environment. That is why we have to maintain the highest standards possible. Once a satellite is in space you cannot repair it. “Our clean room is the only one in Africa which adheres to European Space Agency standards and we are fortunate to have an in-house qualified accredited trainer to get our Clean Room personnel up to the required standard. It is a highly sophisticated environment where all soldering and other processes are done under the microscope.” The company’s current flagship products are inter alia a Fine-Sun Sensor for NASA’s iSat test for interplanetary propulsion, a Magnetotorquer for a Swedish scientific mission and a high altitude GPS system, developed in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch, which determines the positions of satellites in space. NewSpace Systems is described as a joint venture between South Africa’s biggest private satellite company Space Commercial Services Holdings and the Dutch company SSBV Aerospace and Technology. The company sayd 25% equity is reserved for Black Econimic Empowerment (BEE) partnership and 15% for employees. NewSpace Systems’ positioning resonates well with South Africa’s ambition to carve a niche in the global Aerospace market. This ambition is partly captured under the Aerospace Industry Support Initiatives (AISI) which is an initiative of the Departnment of Trade and industry with the suppport of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. AISI runs with a mission of positioning “South African aerospace and defence related industry as a global leader, in niche areas, whilst ensuring effective interdepartmental participation and collaboration.” This ambition feeds from South Africa’s defence industry legacies via names like Denel. In its latest financial results Denel emphasised opportunities in the space market. Highlighting achievments for the 2014/15 period, the state owned company highlighted the provision of telemetry support to the European space agency. It also highlighted the full integration of the commercial satellite program into Spaceteq which is now a subsidiary of Denel. All this comes amidst rising interest from the developing world to have a share of space exploration. Countries like India and China have made considerable inroads. The interest ion South Africa goes beyond governmental ambitions as captured by the ambitious Africa2Moon project. There is also talk of a BRICS (Brazil, Russia) India, China and South Africa) Space Station. http://www.ujuh.co.za/newspace-system-boosts-south-africas-space-ambition/

back from a ban i think cannot be justified. but here is Nigeria's agency for food and drugs control using technology to save guard the nation's health. it ia mentioned that Nigeria is the first country IN THE WORLD to do this.

NAFDAC ENFORCEMENT OF MOBILE AUTHENTICATION SERVICE(MAS)
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In a decisive move to achieve President Goodluck Jonathan’s declarative statement on zero tolerance to counterfeit drugs, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced enforcement of the deadline for implementation of the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) by pharmaceutical companies nationwide.

The enforcement operation which started in Abuja on Wednesday, 2nd July, 2014 under the auspices of the Pharmacovigilance and Post Marketing Surveillance Directorate of NAFDAC was geared towards mopping up from circulation all anti-malarial and anti-biotic medicines that do not carry on their labels, the MAS scratch and text authentication codes which were introduced since 2010 by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii to save consumers from the menace of fake drugs.

Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Orhii who is currently celebrated worldwide for introducing multi-layered anti-counterfeiting technology said there is no going back on enforcement of compliance with the MAS deadline which has previously been shifted twice in the last 3years due to plea for more time by segment of the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Orhii said NAFDAC has the full support of the President and Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu to enforce implementation of the service in a bid to eradicate counterfeit drugs in the country.

He disclosed that firm instruction has been given to all NAFDAC offices across the country to go round various pharmaceutical outlets to enforce compliance as deadline is irreversible and sacrosanct.

According to him, the scratch and text service (MAS) has put the power of detecting counterfeit drugs in the hands of over 100million mobile phone users in the country.

The Director-General stated that the international community is full of commendation for Nigeria for pioneering the use of cutting-edge technologies in combating counterfeit medicines.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement team led by Director of PVG/BMS, Mrs. Adeline Osakwe cracked down on over 50 pharmacies in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja who were found to have stocked anti-malarial and anti-biotic drugs without the scratch and text codes.

A consultative /sensitization forum was organized last week by NAFDAC to iron out the grey areas preparatory to enforcement of the MAS deadline.

Abubakar Jimoh

http://www.nafdac.gov.ng/index.php/regulation/draft-regulations/item/244-nafdac-enforcement-of-mobile-authentication-servicemas

the MAS technology to help consumers verify the authenticity of drugs.

to protect our environment, we are employing cutting technology.

The Great Wall of Lagos is formidable in its design and already does a magnificent job of protecting the coastline, even though it’s not yet finished.

Over the last 100 years, pounding waves from the Atlantic Ocean have eroded the land off Lagos, bringing the sea closer to the financial centre of Victoria Island. The threat of serious flooding was a major concern. Before the Great Wall, tidal surges used to regularly cause water and debris to spill over on to the main coastal highway – Ahmadu Bello Way.

Today the highway is clear from flooding, already protected, thanks to the development of Eko Atlantic.

TESTING THE GREAT WALL

Before the first of the giant concrete armoured blocks for the Great Wall of Lagos was lowered into position, its ability to withstand the worst of the Atlantic tidal surges was put to the test. Urban engineers at DHI, the world-renowned Danish hydraulic research centre, carried out extensive scale model trials. Data analysis by computer models showed that the Great Wall could withstand the worst expected storms over 1,000 years.

FACTS AND FIGURES ON THE GREAT WALL OF LAGOS

When it’s complete, the Great Wall of Lagos will be over 8 kilometres long. It is made from 100,000 concrete blocks (accropodes) weighing 5 tons each which interlock loosely to form an effective barrier that dispels the force of the waves and provides the primary armoured sea defence. Beneath the accropodes are various layers of rock that function as the secondary armour and core.

In the first quarter of 2013 the Great Wall of Lagos was passing the halfway construction stage at 3.5 kilometres in length and is growing at the rate of about 6 metres a day. In its completed form it will protect not only Eko Atlantic, but Victoria Island as well.

CREATING THE FOUNDATIONS OF EKO ATLANTIC

The Belgian company, Dredging International, a leader in this field of engineering, leads the sand-filling work. Dredging is operational around the clock. This massive undertaking is being carried out with great care and efficiency to reclaim land that our grandparents walked on as children.

By the time the work is completed, they will have moved 140 million tons of sand – that’s 95 million cubic metres.http://www.ekoatlantic.com/developing/great-wall-of-lagos/

the great wall of lagos built to protect lagos shoreline from coastal errosion