The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana has said that the Nigerian military needs more satellites to tackle the insecurity bedevilling the country.
Kana stated this at a stakeholders forum during the ‘Nigerian Satellite Week’ organised by the Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited. The Forum is tagged ‘Harnessing Communication Satellites for sustainable development’.
The Permanent Secretary said satellites are key to addressing some of the challenges in the military operation, and it will also help for easy communication and monitoring of movements in various areas.
“With the launching of more satellites, we’re going to be having real-time information, real-time imagery. And we can actually monitor even our enemies and the bandits everywhere, wherever that location might be.
“With the partnership with NIGCOMSAT and with more satellites in space, we are going to be monitoring everything .I can guarantee you that we wont miss anybody coming by our way,” Kana said.
Furthermore, Kana stated that the Defence Space Administration has the capability of taking pictures of satellite imagery on all the routes that troops operate which he said enhances operation and reduce casualties of troops.
“We have moved from normal military operation to advanced military operation. We now use drones, and without satellite, we cannot operate our drones. Drone surveillance is optimal for overseeing significant events, allowing rapid deployment and comprehensive monitoring to prevent illicit activities and safeguard event attendees,” he said.
According to him, “NIGCOMSAT is in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and key agencies in providing digital service to the country.
The Managing Director (MD), NIGCOMSAT, Jane Edgerton-Idehen in her addressed said they are working to increase their customer base to dominate the Nigerian market.
“We want to increase our customer base and dominate the Nigerian market. “We have started the work. So we’ve done our inside work and now we are coming out to talk about it, just like you said. So the patronage can improve.
“So we can tell people, this is what we’re doing, this is what we’ve done. So people can see the reason to actually do business with my company.
“We see a future where 70% of our revenue will come from the Nigerian market.We see a future where in the satellite sector.Because right now there are so many private sector operators here. But the truth is a lot of people they serve are actually government agencies.”
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