Maroc - VERACITY.COM.NG - A La Une - 19/Feb 10:01

NASRDA DG, Adepoju marks birthday, canvasses unity, reforms

The Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Dr Matthew Adepoju, has called for unity, teamwork and sustained reforms as staff of the agency surprised him with a birthday celebration at its headquarters in Abuja.Adepoju, who expressed gratitude for the gesture, said the honour was both humbling and inspiring, noting that achievements recorded during his tenure were products of collective efforts rather than individual accomplishments.He stressed the importance of cooperation and shared vision in building a strong institution, saying sustainable growth could only be achieved through unity among management and staff.The NASRDA boss also observed that transformational reforms were often misunderstood, explaining that decisions aimed at strengthening systems and repositioning institutions might not always enjoy immediate popularity, especially when they affect vested interests.According to him, principled leadership requires consistency in implementing policies and programmes to ensure discipline, order and long-term stability within the organisation.Adepoju added that the ongoing restructuring within the agency was designed to boost operational efficiency, enhance institutional capacity and position NASRDA for greater national relevance in space science and technology.Some directors at the event commended his commitment to the agency’s growth, describing his leadership style as visionary and reform-driven, while expressing confidence that the initiatives introduced under his watch would endure.Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Director-General on Technical Matters and Acting Director of Space Enterprise, Dr Idris Jega, praised Adepoju’s inclusive leadership, noting that staff members had been empowered to showcase their work and develop professionally.Also speaking, the pioneer editor of Ovation International Magazine, Chief Akinrogun Alaba Yusuf, lauded the DG’s contributions to Nigeria’s space programme, describing him as a forthright leader whose efforts had advanced the country’s space science landscape.The ceremony featured goodwill messages, presentation of gifts and a cake-cutting session, reinforcing what participants described as a renewed commitment to the agency’s mandate and institutional progress.