The Chairman of Abuja chapter of Nigeria Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), Engr. Aderemi Adegbola MNSE, MNIMechE, has posited that Nigerian engineers are capable of manufacturing products that can compete favorably worldwide.
He made this assertion during the 2015 Mechanical Engineers Distinguished Lecture held at the Musa Yar’ Adua Centre Abuja. He was of the opinion that for a nation to develop mechanically, it must move from being a consuming nation to a producing nation. “No nation will develop unless it moves from a consuming nation to a producing nation”, he said.
On why Nigerians have not started patronizing made in Nigeria vehicles, he attributed it to penchant for imported goods. “There is still this penchant for imported goods. If the government should ban the importation of foreign vehicles, Nigerians will begin to patronize made in Nigeria vehicles like Innoson brand of vehicles” said Engr. Aderemi.
He said that Abuja chapter of NIMechE has over 200 members and is barely three years in existence. Members of the chapter meet last Monday of each month at Garki 2 by Dantata and Sawoe.
The theme of this year’s lecture which is the eleventh in the series is “The Automotive Industry and Nigeria’s Industrialization”. It was delivered by the DG National Automotive Industry, Engr. Aminu Jalal, FNSE, FNIMechE, FNIM.
Welcome address was delivered by the 11th Chairman of NIMechE, Engr. Prof. Adisa A. Bello, FNSE, FNIMechE. He pointed out that NIMechE converge every year to discuss and proffer solutions to burning issues in Nigeria. He said the country’s manufacturing industry has failed and gave some reasons. “Over the years, Nigerian manufacturing sector has failed to undergo the critical structural transformation necessary for it to play a leading role in economic growth and development. The sector is structurally weak and basic industries such as iron and steel are not fully in place. The technological base for manufacturing is lacking in many sectors. The skilled manpower necessary to guarantee competitiveness in today’s dynamic and globalized world is insufficient, he said. The above issues were deliberated on at the lecture.
Dignitaries at the occasion include; The President of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ademola I. Olorunfemi; The Deputy President, NSE, Engr. Otis Anyaeji; The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the federation, Engr. M. A. K. Abubakar amongst other personalities.
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