FG tasks mechanical engineers on local equipment development

The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has called for practical approach to local technology development to save Nigeria from expensive equipments and technology importation.

The minister made the call at the 35th Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers(NIMechE) International Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday in Ibadan.

The year 2022 conference has the theme: ‘Advances on Communication and Digital Technologies and its Impact on Mechanical Engineering Education and Practice’, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Aregbesola, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers(NSE), represented by the former National Chairman, NIMechE, Ayo Fanimokun, said that there was need for curriculum that would focus on Outcome Based Education.

According to him, this will make the institutions to produce problem-solver engineers that will save the country from foreign spendings on technology importation.

The President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Taisu Gidari-Wudil, said that the tasks of nation building depends on the support of professional institutions in the country.

Gidari-Wudil who was represented by the former Executive Secretary, NSE, Dr Alex Okpi-Momoh, said that Nigeria currently faced socio-economy challenges that need inputs of the engineering institutions for solutions.

He charged all divisions of engineering profession, under NSE, to take the lead in providing solutions to numerous challenges facing the nation.

Also, the keynote Speaker at the event, Mr Oluwatobi Ajayi, also the Chief Executive Officer, Nord Automobile Ltd., said that mechanical engineers have an integral roles to play in the development of Nigeria and having a country that every citizen desires.

Ajayi said that much still needed to be invested in education and training of the mechanical engineers in Nigeria for the country to actualise its industrialisation agendas.

“We must look at the quality of education that an engineer gained in Nigeria, considering the lagging in equipments and industrialisation development in Nigeria.

“We have to be ready to invest in the future technology that we can not see now, for the nation to achieve its technological advancement, “he said.

Earlier, the National Chairman, NIMechE, Mr Olufunmilade Akingbagbohun, a fellow of the NSE, said that NIMechE had been contributing to the development of local manufacturing space and indigenous content development.

Akingbagbohun said that NIMechE, organises soft skills acquisition for upcoming engineers to bridge the gap between classrooms and industries.

She added that NIMechE had collaborated with four foreign institutions to network and brought external experience to action in training of young engineers locally, to keep them in the country and prevent brain drain in the profession.

“The conference provides opportunities to share ideas and network with the government agencies for the progress of engineering profession in Nigeria,” she said.

The conference featured conferment of fellowship awards to deserving members, technical break out sessions, and lectures among others.