The Department of Geography, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State has organized a one-day seminar on Space Technology Promotion in conjunction with the Southeast Zonal Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory (ZASTAL), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja.
The essence of the seminar themed “Space Technology Applications” was to raise awareness and foster innovation on the importance of space technology applications in national industrial development, and more importantly, to showcase advancements and benefits of space technology through educational programmes and public outreach events in collaboration with industry players.

While declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sunday Elom who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Engr. Prof. Charles Ezugwu commended the organizers of the programme, for their initiative and for holding such a strategic programme in the university given its probable positive impact on the capacity of staff and students.
He stated that space technology applications aid in scientific innovation, which according to him, has gone global and leads to innovation and inventions through diverse applications - from satellite communications and earth observation to environmental monitoring and GPS navigation and scientific research.

He further urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity provided by the seminar to enhance their knowledge and thereby build their capacity on space technology applications and its benefits to industrial development.
The Director General, NASRDA, Dr. Amedi Shaba while also speaking at the event commended the efforts of the university management in providing the enabling environment for the hosting of the programme, noting that the aim was to promote space technology vigorously and to pursue the attainment of space capabilities.
He added that ZASTAL’s collaboration with the university is geared towards establishing a space technology station for the southeast in the institution, especially remote sensing and geographic information systems, and thereby fostering mutual public-private partnership towards the success and attainment of sustainable socio-economic development.

The DG, NASRDA who was represented by the Coordinator, SE-ZASTAL, Mr. Andrew Onwusulu noted that AE-FUNAI is the host of the SE-ZASTAL programme of the National Space Research and Development Agency, adding that the Center is one of the six advanced space applications laboratories in Nigeria. He also stated that the mandate of the center is to propagate the implementation of remote-sensing technology as a strategy for national development, adding that the center is also meant to develop satellite technology for various applications, operationalize indigenous space systems by providing space services, and ensure that government agencies are responsible for building and launching a satellites.
He maintained that the programme was not only limited to the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems in specific environmental challenges that are peculiar to the southeastern part of Nigeria but also to bring the benefits of geospatial technologies to the public and other areas of land users and monitor land cover and mapping development of a database on the natural resources, Agriculture, and the development of short practical courses on geospatial skills.
Speaking on the Use of Geospatial Techniques in Health Facilities Mapping and Analysis in Southeastern, Nigeria, Mr. Ojo Samuel Adebayp said that the purpose is to site-select areas that have been mapped out for the distribution of healthcare facilities and to provide data analysis that can help in visualizing complex patterns and interactions.

He added that the accessibility of healthcare services to people is important to avoid distance travel in search of healthcare, especially in time of emergency, noting that the study was focused on healthcare facilities distribution and identifying what the public needs and how to help in facilitating and bringing healthcare centers closer to those areas that need Government intervention.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Nnaemeka Eze who espoused on the Geospatial Approach to the Evaluation of Agricultural Land Dynamics in Ebonyi State, explained that the aim is to conduct some Agricultural land Analysis and provide formalized knowledge based on management where expert intervention is needed.

He further stressed that the project innovation is for both policymakers and Agricultural stakeholders and how to increase the understanding of the agronomic standpoint in other to boost the economic diversification of the country.
He maintained that the call for decisive policies and the adoption of more effective production strategies is meet with the exploding demand for agricultural produce.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Acting Head, Department of Geography,Dr. Moses Obenade commended the Vice-Chancellor and the University management for their support towards the growth and development of the department. He noted that the seminar was an insight into the challenges facing the nation, stressing that it also stands to find solutions to some of the problems.
He therefore urged the participants to put more effort into saving the environment, and thanked them for being part of the event from different universities and other institutions across the country.