Scholar and Head Media and Corporate Communications of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Felix Ale, has announced various professional awards to Journalists in Ondo State.
Dr Ale announced this in Akure at a programme ” The Circuit” organised by the OSRC chapel OF The Nigeria Union of JOURNALISTS, NUJ.
He said the Awards are in three categories: Best Print Reporter of the Year, Best Broadcast Reporter of the Year and Best Veteran Journalist of the year.
The NASRDA Spokesman said the Award which will be known as “Dr Felix Ale Professional Award” will come with Cash, Gifts and Certificates from international and reputable institutions.
While saying presentation of the awards would start at the next Ondo NUJ Press Week, the Oka born media expert said it was a way to galvanize more interest in Journalism profession and reward excellence.
Delivering a lecture on SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: EXAMINING THE ROLES OF THE PRESS TOWARDS ITS EVOLUTION, PROMOTION AND EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS, Dr Ale urged JOURNALISTS to spotlight HAPPENINGS in the industry due to its POTENTIALS in helping Nigeria solve ITS CHANLLENGES.
“The time has come for the Press and NASRDA to be melted into a dynamic fighting force because the world has made a tremendous progress in the course of advancing the frontiers of space science and technology, as well as the use of space environment for specific value and political results.
Nigeria cannot afford to remain indifferent and detached. We must be involved and we are involved.
Space technology remains one of the strategic solutions to the realization of government agenda as it guarantees the availability and speedy access to real time data and geopolitical information as well as the availability of relevant infrastructure and backbone for information communication.“
Dr Ale noted that more propagation of development in space science, can spur bright minds to the field which has the potential to resolve Nigeria’s challenges SUCH AS Poverty, insecurity and ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AMONG OTHERS.
“The Nigerian press must rise up to challenges to ensure the integration of space technology application into the various stages of the nation’s development efforts.
In this time of changing world order, with prosperity in one hand and economic turmoil in another, it is hard to predict the future, and as we become more concerned about the damage to the environment, we should look more to space technology for answers.
Yes, we have stressed “space for national development’’ andwill continue to do so. However, it has been realized that space exploration is a national challenge that is at once highly strategic and inescapable.
It is a challenge Nigeria must meet irrespective of our “level of development” we cannot wait until it is “convenient” to compete. I must say, Nigeria is a nation under siege, not by an invading army but the forces of change. Our most threatening adversary is time.“ He said
The chapels Chairperson Mrs Odunayo Sawyer said the programme which was reactivated as an avenue for robust discussion is designed to provide additional insights for Journalists to aid the discharge of their duties.
An engagement session with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ondo State and the management staff of OSRC gave rise to questions on the state of NigComSat-1 Nigeria’s communication satellite, takeoff of the proposed Space University among OTHERS.
An home coming for Dr Felix Ale, one time best journalist in Ondo state to the headquarters of Ondo STATE RADIOVISION CORPORATION, OSRC Media Group at Orita Obele in Akure.
Dr Ale, a former Staff Reporter at the media organisation now heads the MEDIA AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS of
NATIONAL SPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NASRDA)