…………….Discussion was on effect of down and upstream Communication sector, Population Census, Surveying, Geospatial data, joint staffing and funding.
Surveyor General of the Federation (SGOF) Surv. Abudulganiyu Adeyemi Adebomehin received in audience Director General (DG) and Chief Executive of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Dr. Matthew Adepoju with his management team in his office yesterday.
The management team of Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF) and NASDRA discussed issues bordering on communication, geospatial data, population, surveying, satellites and other areas of mutual interests.
While discussing the effect of upstream sector of the communication companies, both organizations during the meeting blamed the interruptions and drops on TV and radio programmes on lack of regulations on the companies, they both agreed that such problems are not experienced in some countries where telecommunication companies are effectively regulated.
The downstream sector of the communication companies are receiving data and signal directly from the satellite. Most of them are within the perimeter area of living community. The health implication of putting ground station where the population lives is better imagined.
Adding to their claims, in recent time, the issue of cancer in Nigeria has become an endemic. But we always treat the symptom; we don’t actually go to check what is causing these things. Many communication companies placed their masts close to where people are living.
Both organizations agreed on co-location as remedy and is what is being practiced all over the world now and that is what should be recommended to the telecommunication companies to guard against radiation that causes cancer and example of co-location of such communication companies are found in England and US, they said using mast as marketing strategy by telecommunication providers are sources of cancer within premises.
NASRDA and OSGOF emphasized the need to work together with the National Population Commission (NPC) because without their roles census cannot be conducted, they are determined to support the NPC to make sure that this census goes beyond the level of people making inferences.
Talking about Geospatial, they agreed on collaboration and joint effort in realizing effective National Geospatial Data Infrastructure.
In his opening remarks , SGOF said “ I will defend NASRDA to the best of my ability even if you need some of our people that are software engineers we have some of them here, keep on encouraging your staff ,behind successful organization in the world you must find Nigerian , we should do more and I am happy , there are programes you embark upon some people will not see what you are seeing, we have come to the era where you can do whatever you want to, so let us find a way and more digital ways of doing things , we want to say we are solidly behind you.”
Adebomehin advised NASRDA “You may still have to find a way to meet Mr President and ask him that you want satellite that can give an accuracy of less than 10 centimeters. In terms of a satellite you need the requisite system and the software, in order to stop what the government is losing in terms of MDA going out to acquire satellites. I will still want you to assist us more. I’m saying on the side of the satellite.”
Director of Geodesy in OSGOF Surv. Duniya Magaji Joseph while responding to the visit of NASRDA said “Most of the people when they come, they try to talk and defend themselves. Sir, you see, the military, they suffer most of the time because of lack of collaboration.”
Duniya said “You see the Army, this incident that has been happening, anytime they collaborate with OSGOF, you find them getting success. Because when you see people talking about things, everybody wants to protect his own because of either the money or whatever. But if we dwell on the advantages of joint efforts, I don’t think there is any organization that would be afraid to collaborate with one another.”
Earlier, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NASRDA while stating the organization mission to OSGOF, he said “ the deposit that is being identified for steel raw materials in the country. If Ajaokuta comes on stream today, within 10 years, the one they have will be fully finished. And there is need for us to identify new areas for exploration for them.”
Adding that “They have the limestone and so many others under the Federal Ministry of Steel Development. We’ve agreed to work with them. But that kind of work, I don’t want NASA alone to do it, I want Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation to be part of it. And when we work as a team, at the level that we are working, we see the role OSGOF is playing, the role that NASA is playing, and the role of the Minister of Steel Development.“
In recognition of SGOF collaboration and appreciating his successful team work while welcoming him to NASRDA as member of their team, there was a symbolic presentation of vest, plaque and other gift items.
Signed
Henry David
Head, Information and Public Relations
Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation
11th June, 2025
