Inductees to mentor young Engineers to boost national development 

New inductees of the Nigerian Academy of Engineers have pledged to continue to encourage young Engineers to take up projects that will keep the economy afloat and strong.Speaking on behalf of the inductees, Prof Oluwatoyin Ashiru at the Nigerian Academy of Engineering investiture of 10th President, Engr. Prof Fola Lasisi, inducts 11 fellows and recognized seven fellows with life Achievement Awards held in Lagos.

“If we keep recognizing the need, igniting the passion, enterprises that will not only change the course of our economy noticing attempts, organizing effort, and celebrating progress, the natural result will be the creation of lots of valuable technologically bas but make Nigeria a competitive global player.

“We feel highly privileged to become members of the apex of the engineering profession in this country and indeed most countries of the world. Thus, the roles we can play, may not be limited to tightening nuts and bolts and carrying out engineering wonders, but will expectedly be extended to advocacy and mentorship.”

“They pledge not to make it an elitist but enlightening role. In this vein, on my part, immediate lead by regularly publishing enlightening and empowering articles on print and social media towards encouraging young engineers into forming entrepreneur teams to establish business ventures.  We will enumerate them with examples of viable and practicable projects that will add chain values using our abundant natural gas. There are loads of successful case studies to emulate from Asia and Far East countries,” he explained. 

He said the Academy would do all in its power to fulfil the aspirations of the founding Fellows to use the unique knowledge and experiences of the eminent members to provide advisory services to government and the business community.According to him: “The major challenge that we face as a nation is lack of appropriate education or let me say training and vocation for our engineers. 

In short, the missing bridge between the town and gown is enormous. This closely connects to another major bridge that we need to build.”In her earlier speech, former president Engr. Mrs Olu Maduka, reiterated that the Nigerian Academy of Engineering ensures the advancement of engineering education and practices throughout the engineering family.

The new President, Prof Fola Lasisi assured members of academy that although his tenure is two years with several projects to execute, he believed that with the huge collective support and effort of this academy and others they would be able to achieve a landmark success.Among the life achievement awardees were Engr. Prof A.S Adekola, Engr. Prof T.A.I Akeju, Engr. Prof F.O. Akinbode, Engr. Dr A.A Desalu, Engr. Prof Fola Lasisi, Engr. Group Captain (Rtd) J. P Obakpolor, Engr. A.A Ogedegbe, and Engr. Prof A. F Ogunye.