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NASRDA DG Flags Off Construction of Nigeria’s Geodetic VLBI Project
The Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Mathew Olumide Adepoju has on Thursday performed the ground breaking ceremony of the Geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) project at the Center for Geodesy and Geodynamics, (CGG) Toro.
According to Dr Adepoju, the project is one of the milestone projects of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the area of science and technology.
He described the project as a major effort at mitigating the adverse effects of natural hazards on the entire citizenry of Nigeria and safe guarding their property.
“I am particularly excited that it is during my tenure as the Director-General/Chief Executive of NASRDA that we are witnessing this epoch-making event,” he said.
He explained that the choice of the location of the project was based on the fact that it is sited on a solid geological bedrock (Older Granites) that can serve as immobile belt on which the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) can be situated.
The DG expressed the appreciation of the Government and people of Nigeria to the Government of the Peoples Republic of China through its partner, the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory for funding the project.
He said: “This project is as a result of the collaboration between the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO), China. “This gesture by the Chinese government will go a long way in strengthening the already existing cordial relationship between our countries.”
He praised the Director of CGG, Dr Joseph Danasebe Dodo for his efforts and resilience in initiating the project and the staff of the Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics in seeing to the realization of this dream conceived many years ago.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Dodo expressed joy at the realisation of the VLBI project while noting with gratitude the resilience and solidarity of the NASRDA boss in ensuring that the project comes to fruition.
The Project Manager of the Chinese International Telecommunication Construction Company (CITCC) Mr. Wu Jiyong appreciated the opportunity given to the company to execute the project while assuring the agency of a thorough job.
Dignitaries present at the epoch making occasion include Directors in the Agency, traditional rulers and Chiefs from Lame, Jama’a and Toro communities, local politicians, staff members and members of the host community.
This multi-million-dollar project is primarily aimed at deep space science which include satellite tracking, space missions, earth orientation parameters determination, national defense and monitoring of geodynamics phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic eruption among others in Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan Africa.
The infrastructure will also contribute to the global network of Space Geodetic Systems for the understanding of the Global Reference Frame and Plate Tectonics. It is the first and only one in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
The benefits of the project when completed will include among others: the tracking of spacecraft for national defense, monitoring of space missions, monitoring of space weather and climate change, providing unambiguous earth orientation parameters, determination of orbit and location of satellites, monitoring of geodynamic events at regional and global scales, contribution to the global network of space geodetic systems and aid in the understanding of the global reference frame and Earth’s tectonic activities.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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