State-run satellite company, Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has announced that it has been collaborating with the Defence Ministry to deploy technology via NIGCOMSAT 1-R to assure the success of ongoing military campaign against banditry, insurgency and other criminal acts against the Nigerian state.
It also promised to launch another satellite, NIGCOMSAT 2-R, a move it said represents the next phase in its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s space capabilities and providing world-class satellite services.
At a forum in Lagos, it said contrary to misrepresentations, NICOMSAT R-1 is basically a communication satellite and not a camera satellite, adding that it is therefore only able to meet the necessary communication needs of the military battling criminal elements in different war theatres.
Its Managing Director, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, said the organisation has embarked on a significant journey to reposition itself as a leader in satellite communications and space technology, not only in Nigeria but across the African continent.
In a presentation, Deputy Manager, Technical, at NIGCOMSAT, Bello Olasunkanmi, said to enhance seamless communication among the various military agencies prosecuting the military campaigns in the country, the collaboration the company has with the Defence Ministry has resulted in the mounting of antennae on automobiles used by the military at the various fronts to facilitate communication among the troops.
Also speaking on the coming satellite, Mrs. Egerton-Idehen, said: “I am excited to share with you our plans to launch a new satellite, NIGCOMSAT-2, in the near future. This satellite represents the next phase in our commitment to advancing Nigeria’s space capabilities and providing world-class satellite services.
“NIGCOMSAT-2 satellite will significantly enhance our capacity to deliver robust, high-speed communication services across Nigeria and beyond. It will support a wide range of applications, including broadband internet, telemedicine and e-learning, among others.
“This new satellite will also enable us to better serve critical sectors such as agriculture, security, health and education, driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.
“The launch of NIGCOMSAT-2 satellite is not just a technological milestone; it attests to Nigeria’s growing prowess in the global space industry and underscores our resolve to harness the power of space technology for national development.
“As we continue on this path of growth and innovation, our commitment to providing reliable, high-quality satellite communication services are unwavering and we are continuously innovating to meet the growing demands of our digital economy.”
She said the remarkable transformation unfolding is a direct result of the renewed vision and strategic direction brought in by the new executive management team, the leadership and the staff at NIGCOMSAT which she is privileged to lead.
“This is clearly stated in the Strategic Blueprint we launched last year with the support of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. The pillars contained in the strategy document are Strategy, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Infrastructure, Branding and People. Our collective efforts have focused on enhancing our technological capabilities, expanding our service offerings and strengthening our partnerships with government agencies, private sector enterprises, academic institutions and the general public to better serve the needs of our diverse clientele and broaden our market reach.
“We have been working diligently to upgrade our infrastructure, our Hubs at Lagos and Abuja, to provide communication solutions that meet global standards. We have launched a service delivery team to ensure we support our clients and our of services are reliable for all our offerings such as broadband internet, direct-to-home (DTH) services, transponder leasing, broadcast services, etc.
“We have forged new partnerships to provide connectivity in rural and underserved areas, partnerships to support startups and innovative enterprises in the satellite industry with our NIGCOMSAT Startup Accelerator programme. There has been a lot of focus in creating awareness for our brand, what we stand for and our value offerings both in the traditional and digital media space. In recognition of the importance of human capital, we continue to invest in training and capacity-building programmes for our staff, ensuring that we are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving industry. We have achieved all this transformation because of our determined leadership and reliant people at NIGCOMSAT,” the CEO said.