Engr. Mashood (2nd right) receiving the Award from Engr. Prof. Abdulbaki Toyin Abdulraheem (right) and supported by Engr. (Dr) Akingbagbohun (left)
The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) has confered Award of Excellence on selected members of its association in recognition of their invaluable contributions and selfless services to the growth and development of the body and society at large.
The presentation of award was part of the highlights of a week-long workshop tagged “3D CAD Training & Development of Design Concept” that was jointly organised by the NIMechE, National Headquarters, and Kwara State Ministry of Works and Transport.
The recipients of the award included Engr. Salahudeen-Gold Mashood Adisa of Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwara State Polytechnic; Engr. (Dr) Suleiman Yahaya Abimbola, Head of Department, Bio-Medical Engineering, University of Ilorin; Engr. Osaze Omorogbe, from Ahmadu Bello University who is also the Natiinal Chairman of Nigeria Institution of Automotive Engineers (NIAE); Engr. Ahmed Kazeem Lekan Jatto of the Kwara State Ministry of Water Resources; and the kwara state Commisoner for Works and Transport, Engr. Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu who was also the sponsor of the programme.
In her address at the occasion, the national chairman of NIMechE, Mrs. Funmilade Akingbagbohu, appealed to Nigerian Governmnt to as a matter of priority create suitable avenue for creative design engineers for them to perform optimally and come up with new ideas and innovation that will take the country to the limelight.
Akingbagbohu explained that engineering is a practical course, saying that design engineers have enormous task for the safety and cost effective products.
She noted that many young engineers have graduated but do not have the skill or experience to compete in a system where experience is becoming the reason for their inability to break through.
She therefore implored the Kwara State Government and agencies to begin to give more young engineers opportunity to have internship at the specialist Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and partnering private sectors.
“Such internship can open a window of opportunities for many young engineers of Kwara origin to acquire experience. The best performers among them can be retained to motivate the future participants. The economic impact of such approach to youth development is immeasurable” she recommended.
“Let us revive the pupillage. Even if you will not employ them after their internship, the experience acquired will be a gateway for many of them to find job opportunities in other industries”, she said.
Mrs. Akingbagbohu, who urged participants to key to what they had been taught, said that, “the world is now on your palm, go and practice and become a master in the art. Do more with what you have been taught, expand your horizon and keep learning to stay abreast of the industry trend”, she charged the participants.
She recommended that they develop additional skills outside of technical knowledge, nurture and develop their creativity in solving problems and as well expand their analytical thinking capability.
“My dear young engineers, no matter what your current position, look out for opportunity and be prepared to grab it with two hands when it shows up at your door”, she added
In his comment, the sponsor of the event, Engineer Sulaiman Rotimi Iliasu, said that the world of work is evolving with different skill sets in demand by organizations, saying that the NIMechE as a professional association, has the mandate to bridge the gap between academy and industry as well equip members, young and old with skills needed for them to elevate their status as professionals.
The Works and Transport Commissioner also pledged that the government would continue to champion the course of engineers in the state, justvas he urged the participants to make good use of what they had been taught and be good ambassadors to their various institutions, States and Nigeria at large.
