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In what will be adjudged a well attended opening ceremony, the 2011 World Space Week celebration kicked off with Secondary Schools all over the country in attendance.

In his keynote address the executive Director of the centre, Dr Joseph Akinyede reinterated the essence of this year's WSW theme which is 50 years of human spaceflight stating that Space Technology had grown beyond limits and bounds. He also gave the importance of Space Technology to include promotion of civilian use, promote international co-operation in research and development which has been examplified by in the construction of the International Space Station (ISS) and to provide a platform for skills and knowledge acquisition and the education of the public at large.

He reminded the participants that they were new and lucky generation of the new age and that they should make good use of the opportuity before them and hoped that the students will leave with more knowledge at the end of the occassion.

A presentation of the journey so far in Space Education Outreach was delivered by the co-ordinator, Dr. Wumi Alabi in which she carried the audience from the beginning of the space outreach programme to the present. Her presentation revealed that the centre had covered about seventy five percent of the country in terms of space education outreach.

Another inspiring presentation was delivered by two Nigerian Engineers who were part of the team that produced the recently launched NigeriaSat-X satellite. The lecture bordered on their experience in the space industry and the importance of space technology to the country. It also bordered on factors to be considered in rocket construction and eventual launch.

Two highpoints of the days events were the debate and quiz competition. The debate competition was between Federal Government College, Minna, Niger State and Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State. Titled, "How relevant is a Space Program in an emerging economy like Nigeria"?, the final outcome saw FGC Minna who argued against the notion coming out as winners.

In what will be described as a keenly contested quiz competition, seven student from different schools competed in the final of the quiz competition which was organized by the Nigeria Institute for Physics in collaboration with ARCSSTEE to mark their week which coincided with the 2011 World Space Week Celebration. The eventual winner was Master Shuaibu Gideon of School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada, FCT, the first runner up was Master Ofoegbu Chukwuma of Iganmu Senior High School, Orile Iganmu, Lagos State while the second runner up was Master Ahia Fergu of Brilliant child School, Akoka, Lagos State.

Earlier in the day, the president of the Nigerian Institute of Physics, Prof. Okwuoeze who was accompanied to the occassion by the council if the institute, encouraged the students to take the study of Physics very important as it will go along way in determining their future, he also said that the winners of the quiz competition will be presented with befitting prizes in due course.

Different schools displayed and demonstrated different Space education kits.

The World Space Week celebration is co-sponsored by NASRDA, COPINE, iLAb OAU, Arc Lights, Schlumberger, Aeroclub and Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP).