IAU-OAD West African Regional Office Inauguration
The West African Regional Office will officially become a part of the IAU-Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) later this week. The inauguration, which will be held in Enugu, Nigeria, on November 27, will mark the commencement of activities for the Regional Office. It will be attended by the director of the OAD, country coordinators from Gabon, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria and representatives from the host institution. The event will coincide with the First Nigerian Astronomy and Space Science Forum. The first meeting of the country coordinators will be held on November 26.
The West African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (WA-ROAD) will be hosted at the Center for Basic Space Sciences (CBSS), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Nigeria.
Download the meeting program for the inauguration.
Meeting Program
| 1. National Anthem | 12:00 – 12:05pm |
| 2. Opening Prayers | 12:05 – 12:10pm |
| 3. Introduction of Guests | 12:10 – 12:40pm |
| 4. Breaking of Kola nut | 12:40 – 12:45pm |
| 5. Opening Address by the Chairman of the Forum, Sen. (Barr.) Chukwuka Utazi | 12:45 – 12:55pm |
| 6. Welcome Address by the Director, CBSS, Prof. F. E. Opara | 12:55 – 01:00pm |
| 7. Address by the Chief Host, DG/NASRDA, Prof. S.O. Mohammed | 01:00 – 01:10pm |
| 8. Minister’s Remark | 01:10 – 01:20pm |
| 9. Address by the Governor, Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Gburu Gburu) | 01:20 – 01:30pm |
| 10. Exhibition | 01:30 – 02:00pm |
| 11. Music Interlude/Inauguration of the IAU West African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU WAROAD) |
02:00 – 02:30pm |
| 12. Light Refreshment | 02:30 – 02:40pm |
| 13. Brief Forum discussion by Panel of Experts on Basic Space Science and Astronomy in Nigeria |
02:40 – 03:10pm |
| 14. Citation / Award Presentation / Responses | 03:10 – 04:40pm |
| 15. Closing remark by Emeritus Prof. P.N. Okeke | 04:40 – 04:45pm |
| 16. Dinner | 04:45pm |