By Gloria Akudoro, Abuja
The Nigeria Institute of Electrical Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) has urged the Federal Government to expedite action in executing the executive order 5 so as to empower the locals.
NIEEE expressed that the previous efforts of government geared towards achieving economic development had relied on the use of foreign aid, investment in machines, fostering education at the primary and secondary level, controlling population growth and giving loans and depth relief on reforms to stimulate the economy with a view to achieving self-sufficiency.
NIEEE stated that these these efforts have not yielded much.
The Chief Executive Officer, Kenol Nigeria Limited, Olu Ogunduyile, in his public lecture made this known at the NIEEE’S Fellowship Conferment Ceremony of 29 Engineers as approved by Fellows of the Institute by its National Chairman, Engr. Kings Olusegun Adeyemi in Abuja.
He expressed that the active participation of more professionals in the development process would harmonize all efforts to achieve the desired results.
The following are names of the NIEEE’S Conferees; Engr. Solomon Omorodion Uwaifo, Engr. Prof. Simeon Olumide Ajose, Engr. Olatokunbo Ebenezer Oshokoya, Engr. Abel Olusola Alalade, Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, Engr. Joshua A. Obabiolorunkosi, Engr. Moses Gaszama Melee, Engr. Sunmonu Adebayo Tomori, Engr. Meyen Ekpo Etukudo, Engr. Philip Balami Yaro, Engr. Mrs. Theresa Omolola Banjo, Engr. Paul Chinedum Egbo, Engr. Lasisi Salami Lawal, Engr. Uchenna C. Elekwachi Dimkpa, Engr. Mrs. Taiwo Abolaji Igbosanu and amongst others.
Engr. Ogunduyile also stressed on mentorship by fellows of Professional bodies, whereby, the exco members of professional associations should foster relationship with all fellows and senior members to ensure engineering professionals go for NYSC not as teachers but to industries for industrial experience.
He added that, with collaboration of academia and industries in Research and Development (R&D), it would aid to promote industrial growth.
He has also urged government to encourage the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), to fund the industrial growth at a single digit interest rate with a long period of repayment of six years.
Engr. Ogunduyile stated that, “To reduce pressure on Naira, government should support agriculture, textile industries and many others to reduce capital flight that put pressure on the economy.”
He, however, said, “Since we have shortfall of 20 million housing deficit as at 2018 and government needs N21 trillion to fund it.”
According to him, “Remember there are millions of engineers, technologist, technicians, artisans and others trades that will benefit from this exercise. In other words, you will be sending out the hoodlums, kidnappers away from our streets. An idle hand is the devil’s workshop.
“We need a lot of synergies, thoughtfulness, collaboration and all have you to look inward to solve these challenges.
“We also want the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to rise up to the immediate challenges to foster relationship with the industries and the academia to ensure massive production of ventilators, spraying machines and other equipment that will take away pressure on our currency.
“Without production economy, our situation will be a mirage,” he advised.
He therefore, urged the newly Conferees to try in their individual capacity to impact positively to the society.
In the same vein, the National Chairman/Chairman-in-Council, NIEEE, Engr. Kings Adeyemi who lent his voice concerning the occasion, said, NIEEE is the combination of electrical engineering family cutting across all the cadres from technicians, technologists to engineers.
Speaking on the issue of innovation, he said, “So many fellows have many designs but designing is not the issue rather the implementation being the problem which has to do the environment that do not encourage engineers to strive.
“So, there’s need for engineers to go into governance to influence the decisions of government by playing advisory role.”
Engr. Adeyemi speaking on the issue of quacks in the system, said “Unfortunately, every profession has certain degree of quackery and electrical engineering discipline is not left out.
“And fortunately, the cut bridge is not coming from within but without. There are so many laws, some contradicting which allows so many quacks to take over and legislative backing is the way out.
“Once NIEEE has a legislative backing, then mean we are upgraded from advisory role to backing role and will now be able to back and go after quacks.
“Our bill has past first reading on the floor of Senate and soon will go for second reading which will transform to become an act that will guide the operations in the industry.”