Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that the transition from analogue to digital economy has made it imperative to pay attention to the digital age where space travel would offer so many economic benefits.
While suggesting that Nigerians should not joke with the space economy, Uzodimma insists that as a person, he believes in it and will stop at nothing to support any collaboration in the area of space research.
Speaking, yesterday, at the Government House, Owerri, when he played host to members of the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) and Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), the governor told his guests to count on the state’s support and partnership in the establishment of Space Research Centre for its economic benefits in Imo.
He said: “The issue of Space Research is a serious business and should not be toyed with. It is estimated that soon there will be tourism in Space, and nations will want to share in the economy thereof.”
Uzodimma noted that innovation and research have gone beyond discovery on earth “as the planet, rather the world, has gone into research on how to help manage the Space as a market for both the military and civilian.”
He said that the gains of Space Research and travels are for both private and public sectors, noting: “Every conscious state or nation will like to participate and be part of the gains.”
The governor insisted that he strongly believes that the National Space Research Development Agency has the mandate of the Federal Government to give opportunity for at least two Nigerians to visit the Space every year, and would wish that an Imo citizen fits the mould.
