It was a day of felicitations and exchange of pleasantries among engineering icons in Nigeria as Elizadea University of Technology, Ilara-Mokin in Ondo State delivered her maiden edition of annual Public Lecture.
The day also witnessed the induction of pioneer students into the Automotive National Students’ Forum
This year’s edition was entitled, ‘Towards Producing Competent & Successful Automotive Engineers’.
The Vice President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and Special Adviser to the Governor of Osun State on Water Resources and Energy, Engr. Prince Adeniran Kilomodemo Ibitoye, (aka KLM) led a team of members of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) from Osogbo, Akure, Ado-Ekiti and Ilesa Branches to the events.
In his opening remarks, Engr. Ibitoye, who represented the NSE President emphasized that, for students to be marketable with quintessential qualities and become successful automotive engineers, students need to show interest in engineering practice & profession with quality skills.
They must also be innovative through the blend of theories, practicals, training and software skills acquisition and creativity through the use of their talents, time and treasure as human capital assets”
It is evident that Engineering Practice and Profession is as old as mankind. Hence, engineers are problem solvers and quality service providers through understanding of technical concepts, professional risk management, safety precautions and standards with reference to ethics, code of conduct, laws, policies and excellent oral and written communication skills, among others.
“KLM enjoined the students to cultivate the habit of hardwork, due diligence, dedication to work. He also asked them to always demonstrate good writing skills and strategic communication in order to have competitive and comparative advantages over their contemporaries.He called on his Hosts to always ensure that good conduct and ethics in Engineering Practice & Profession are their driving force and measures of performance and quality standards.
According to him, “Research and Development, good and workable proposals are sacrosanct to human capital development and career progression.
Engr. Ibitoye used the occasion to express his appreciation to his mentors and colleagues who blessed the august occasion with their presence; and, others who were unavoidably absent but were with them in spirit.
In his words, “their constant prayers, perseverance and support gave me the needed tonic to survive the long nights of hard work, persistence, commitment to service, mentoring and guidance. Their love for this noble profession cannot be over-emphasized.
The Guest Lecturer, Engr. Prof. Christianah Ijagbemi justified her several decades of expertise, local content inclusiveness and intellectual engagements by doing justice to the theme of the lecture.
Earlier in his address, the National Chairman of AutoEI, Engr. Dr. Abubakar Jumare urged the lecturers to do all they could to groom and mentor the students with a view to preparing them for the challenges ahead.
He also challenged them to set up a Chapter of AutoEI under Akure Branch of NSE. He also requested the University to host the 2021 National AutoEI Conference/AGM in October if the Chapter is formed.In his words, “AutoEl will continue to collaborate with Elizade University to see to the success of all its engineering programnes in the area of canvassing for students, professional support to continue to maintain accreditation statuses of all its programmes and also towards obtaining approval to start postgraduate programmes.
The lecture was rounded-off with physical inspection of the ongoing work at the Engineering Complex for possible training, re-training, Workshops, Research and Development for the development of Engineering Profession, especially, the Automotive Manpower in the areas of design, fabrication, vehicle architecture, servicing and maintenance, spare parts, diagnoses and repairs. Others were Exportation, Sales and Marketing for an impressive National Growth and Development of Automotive and Locomotive Technology and its advancement in NigeriaIn his assessment, KLM expressed confidence that it is by the quality and volume of Research, Practicals, Workshops, Seminars, Skill Acquisition, Training and Re-training and the extent to which it has helped to unlock several potentials, explore opportunities, capabilities and push back the frontiers of knowledge for National & Sustainable Development that an institution like this can be judged.
“The first phase of students of Automotive Engineering Induction of Elizade University of Technology is highly commendable and the present Faculty of Engineering is engaged in various areas of research and programming activities
“Yes, institutions are built around individuals! It is on this note and honour of special recognition that I commend the ingenuity and the large heart of the founder of the university, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, who is also the Chairman of Elizade Group of Companies, for the show of love, commitment and dedication to national unity and technological advancement
“I am aware that the university has striven hard to create an excellent and modern administrative and technical support to staff and students through research-based approach and strategic leadership to conduct a large number of programs while a very large number of visitors to Elizade University spend varying times for physical inspection, evaluation and assessment of facilities.
“It is important to differentiate between government support and government control. It is on this clear conviction of purpose and objective that I strongly advise that administrative practices should be aligned with the specific objectives of an institution for national development
“Conclusively, I recommend that we should continue and contribute to solving some of the important problems of Science and Engineering concomitantly towards enhancing the quality of our National Policies on Education
“Establishment of the Centre for Integrated Engineering Development”Dedicated Centres for National Research & Development for addressing evolving technological setbacks & advancements, value-added, sophistication & standards, cost and convenience, etc.
“It is of note to acknowledge the presence of the principal officers of the University on the occasion, under the headship of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Olukayode Amund. Others were Mr Omololu Adegbenro (Registrar); Mr Olusegun Ajeigbe (Bursar); Prof Benjamin Imasogie (Dean of Engineering); and Prof. Ayodeji Oluwatope (the Director of ICT). Also present is HOD Department of Automotive Engineering of the University, Engr. Prof. Abraham Asere, who worked tirelessly towards the inauguration of the students’ Chapter.”Special regards to the National Chairman of Automotive and Locomotive Engineers Institute, Engr. Dr. Abubakar Jumare; the Guest Speaker, Engr. Prof. Christianah Ijagbemi; and the Royal Father of the Day, HRM, Oba Engr. Prof. Adebisi Akinola, the Obamila of Imila, Odo Ayedun-Ekiti in Ekiti State.On the entourage of Vice President Ibitoye to Elizade University were Engineers from Osogbo, Akure, Ado-Ekiti and Ilesa Branches. Among them were Engr. (Mrs) Mojirade Oloruntoba (former Chairman & National Exco member, NSE); Engr. Wale Alonge (Chairman, NSE, Osogbo Branch); Engr. Ezekiel Oloruntola (Chairman, NSE, Akure Branch); and Engr. Prof Olumide Ogundipe, the immediate past Chairman of NSE, Ado-Ekiti Branch. Others were Engr Adeyemi Adeyonu (General Secretary, NSE, (Akure Branch); Engr. (Mrs.) Seun Borokini (General Secretary, Ado Ekiti Branch) and Engr. Abiodun Ogunrinde.Also in attendance were Engr. Kola Anwo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Osun on Project Monitoring; Engr. Kehinde Temikotan, Technical Secretary, Akure Branch; Engr. Felix Adeniyi, an elder of Akure Branch; Engr. Monday Leke; Mr. Ayodele Adepoju; Surveyor Oluseyi Oke; and Engr. Adeyinka Atoyebi, among others.